JP3235818B2 - Endoscope imaging device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an endoscope imaging apparatus characterized in that a character information is superimposed on a video signal obtained by converting an output signal from a solid-state imaging device. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, it is possible to observe an affected part or the like in the body cavity using an observation means provided in the insertion portion without requiring an incision.
Endoscopes capable of performing a treatment by inserting a treatment tool into a forceps channel as necessary have been widely used.

In the endoscope, an image guide fiber is used for image transmission.
An electronic endoscope that houses a solid-state imaging device such as a CD to form an imaging unit, transmits a signal photoelectrically converted by the solid-state imaging device through a cable, and can display a color image on a monitor device. Hereinafter, it is referred to as an electronic endoscope.).

In the electronic endoscope, white balance adjustment is required. That is, when an image of a white subject is captured, the color separation and rotation filters in the light source device are sequentially set so that the R, G, and B ratios of the CCD output signal become 1, and the electronic endoscope device is used. Variation, this R,
The emission times of G and B are adjusted by changing electrically or mechanically or by changing the gain of each of the CCD output signals. A more accurate expression of the white balance is defined by an output signal from the device to a display monitor or the like. For example, the ratio of R, G, B output signals is set to 1, or (RY), in the NTSC system, The color difference signal output of (BY) is set to 0. That is, the chrominance signal modulated by the subcarrier is set to “0” when the “white” subject is imaged.

As a conventional white balance adjusting means,
There is the mechanical type. In this scheme, CC
The imaging output taken at D depends on the amount of light emitted, that is, the light emission time (exposure time), assuming that the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the light guide and the CCD are fixed. Therefore, for example, white balance adjustment is performed by changing the aperture ratio of R, G, and B of the rotary filter, that is, changing the length of the fan-shaped fan.

On the other hand, there is a method in which white balance is adjusted by electrically changing the exposure time, and a light source lamp emits light intermittently by pulses. In this conventional example, the numerical aperture of each color filter is constant.

[0007] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, white balance adjustment is performed by adjusting the gain of the CCD output signal described above.

An electronic endoscope image pickup device 71 having a white balance adjusting function includes an electronic endoscope 72 in which image pickup means is incorporated, a light source unit 73 for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 72, and an electronic endoscope 72. A signal processing unit 74 that converts a signal captured by the endoscope 72 into a video signal that can be displayed on a display device.

In the electronic endoscope 72, a CCD 75 as an image pickup means is arranged at the distal end side of the insertion section 72a.

Further, the illumination light supplied from the light source 73 is transmitted from the light guide 76 inserted into the insertion portion 72a, and emitted from the distal end surface. The emitted illumination light is applied to the subject.

A light source 73 for supplying illumination light to the proximal end face of the light guide 76 includes a light source lamp 77, a lens 78 for condensing the illumination light of the light source lamp 77 on the end face of the light guide 76, It comprises an RGB rotary filter 79 interposed in the optical path between the lens 78 and the end face of the light guide 76, and a motor 80 for driving the rotary filter 79 to rotate.

The rotating filter 79 is a filter that transmits light in the red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, that is, red, green, and blue, respectively.
Each of green and blue transmission filters is formed in a fan shape. By rotating the rotation filter 79, these R, G, B
Each of the three primary colors is illuminated in a plane sequence. The rotation of the motor 80 that rotates the rotary filter 79 is controlled by a rotary servo circuit 81. By the rotation servo circuit 81, the rotation of the motor 80 is synchronized with the frame frequency of the video signal.

The subject image illuminated by the R, G, and G lights in a plane-sequential manner is formed on an imaging surface of the CCD 75. Then, the photoelectrically converted signal is output from the CCD 75 to the CCD 75.
The data is read by the application of a read clock signal by the driver 82. The clock signal and the control signal from the rotation servo circuit 81 are synchronized with the synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generator 83.

The output signal of the CCD 75 is amplified by a preamplifier 84 forming a signal processing section 74, and is input to a reset noise removing circuit 86 via an isolation circuit 85 for protecting the patient from electric shock. The signal from which the reset noise has been removed by the reset noise removal circuit 86 is then passed through a low-pass filter (LPF) 87 to remove 1 / f noise and unnecessary high frequencies such as CCD carriers. The balance is adjusted, and the γ correction circuit 89 performs γ correction.

The white balance adjustment circuit 88 is supplied with a control signal from a control circuit 90 which is controlled by the output of the synchronization signal generation circuit 83.

In the white balance adjustment circuit 88,
Rotating filter 79, endoscope light guide 76, and C
In order to suppress the dispersion of the spectral characteristics of the CD 75, the levels of the R and B signals with respect to the G signal are controlled so that R: G: B = 1: 1: 1.

The specific configuration of the white balance adjustment circuit 88 includes the configuration shown in FIG.

That is, the RGB sequential signal is supplied to the multiplier 3
1 and passed through the S / H 32, the comparators 33 and 34
The level comparison of the R signal and the B signal with respect to the G signal is performed. By turning on a white balance (WB) · SW (not shown), the U / D counter 35 starts an operation of counting the outputs of the comparators 33 and 34. Next, the count value of the U / D counter 35 passes through the D / A converters 36 and 37, and the white balance correction of R, G, and B is performed by the sequential control signal from the control circuit 90 via the switching circuit 38. It is output as a signal. Then, the R, G, and B correction signals are input to the multiplier 31. The multiplier 31 sequentially multiplies the original R, G, and B signals by a correction signal to obtain a white balance.

In the switching circuit 38, a fixed value VG is set in the G signal line.

In the endoscope imaging apparatus, the imaging signal subjected to white balance and γ correction in the electronic endoscope in this way is sent to an external image processing apparatus or an image recording apparatus such as an optical disk. The image processing apparatus performs various image processing, for example, color enhancement, on the image pickup signal or the image data stored in the image recording apparatus, and records the image data again in the image recording apparatus.

Therefore, in the endoscope imaging apparatus, an appropriate diagnosis can be performed by generating and recording an image suitable for the diagnosis by the image processing apparatus.

As described above, in the endoscope imaging apparatus, various images can be recorded in the image recording apparatus by various image processings in the image processing apparatus. In some cases, character data such as patient data, observation date and time, observation site, and image processing type are superimposed on an image.

[0023]

However, storing an image in which character data (characters) are superimposed in an image storage device makes it easy to identify the image, but the character data (characters) are superimposed. When the image processing apparatus performs processing such as color enhancement on the posed image, the character data (character) is not originally required, such as color bleeding of the superimposed character data (character). Processing is performed,
There is a problem that good character data (character) cannot be superimposed on a desired processed image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope imaging apparatus capable of superimposing good character data (character) on a desired processed image with a simple configuration. It is an object.

[0025]

An endoscope image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject;
An image on which predetermined image processing is performed on a captured image signal
A first output means for outputting the image signal to a processing device;
And an image processing device output by the first output means.
Signal input means for inputting an image-processed image signal
A stage and inputting an image signal from the image signal input means
A first input terminal for inputting the imaging signal from the imaging unit;
Imaging signal selection means capable of selecting a second input terminal to be input
And selecting the image signal selecting means from the image processing apparatus.
A selection signal input means for inputting a No.択信, the selection signal input
Selecting the imaging signal according to the selection signal input by the input means
Character in the image signal input from the input terminal selected by the
A character information superimposing means for superimposing information, the character information superimposing
Means for displaying an image signal on which character information is superimposed by a predetermined display means
Characterized by comprising a second output means for outputting to.

In the endoscope imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the subject is photographed.
A predetermined image with respect to the image signal picked up by the image pick-up means.
An image processing apparatus that performs image processing;
And the imaging signal input means outputs the first output
Means which has been output by means and image-processed by the image processing device.
An image signal is being input. And this imaging signal input means
A first input terminal for inputting an imaging signal from the imaging device;
Selectable with the second input terminal for inputting the imaging signal from the stage
The selection signal input means is connected to the image processing signal selection means.
Selection signal from the
Selecting the imaging signal according to the selection signal input by the input means
Character in the image signal input from the input terminal selected by the
The information superimposing means superimposes the character information.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope imaging apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a correction circuit.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope imaging apparatus 1 having a white balance adjustment function has an electronic endoscope 2 in which imaging means is incorporated. Further, the imaging device 1 includes a light source unit 3 for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 2.
And a signal processing unit 4 that converts a signal captured by the electronic endoscope 2 into a standard TV video signal that can be displayed on a display device (not shown).

The electronic endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion portion 5 formed so as to be easily inserted into a body cavity, and an objective lens 6 and a CCD 7 as a solid-state image sensor are arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion 5. Then, an imaging means is incorporated.

A light guide 8 for transmitting illumination light is inserted through the insertion section 5. The light guide 8 transmits the illumination light supplied from the light source unit 3 and emits the illumination light from the distal end surface. The emitted illumination light is transmitted to the light distribution lens 9.
To illuminate a subject (not shown).

The light source unit 3 for supplying illumination light to the proximal end face of the light guide 8 includes a light source lamp 12, a lens 13 for condensing and illuminating the illumination light of the light source lamp 12 to the end face of the light guide 8, It comprises an aperture 11 and an RGB rotary filter 14 interposed in the optical path between the lens 13 and the end face of the light guide 8, and a motor 15 for driving the rotary filter 14 to rotate. The light source lamp 12 emits white light, such as a xenon lamp, and has an emission spectrum distribution close to blackbody radiation.

The rotary filter 14 includes red, green, and blue transmission filters 14R, 14G, and 14B that transmit light in respective wavelength ranges of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).
Are formed in a fan shape. By rotating the rotary filter 14, each of the R, G, and B primary colors is illuminated in a plane-sequential manner. This rotary filter 1
The rotation of the motor 15 that rotates the motor 4 is controlled by a rotation servo circuit 17. By the rotation servo circuit 17, the rotation of the motor 15 is synchronized with the frame frequency of the video signal.

The subject image illuminated by the R, G, and G lights in a plane-sequential manner is formed on an imaging surface of a solid-state imaging device by a CCD 7 by an objective lens 6. The photoelectrically converted signal is read from the CCD 7 by the application of a read clock signal by the CCD driver 18. The clock signal and the control signal of the rotary servo circuit 17 are synchronized with the synchronization signal output from the synchronization signal generator 19.

The time-series output signals (plane-sequential color video signals R, G, B) of the CCD 7 are amplified by a preamplifier 21 forming the signal processing section 4. Then, the amplified signal is input to a reset noise removing circuit 23 via an isolation circuit 22 for protecting the patient from electric shock or the like. The signal from which the reset noise has been removed by the reset noise removal circuit 23 is then passed through a low-pass filter 24 to remove 1 / f noise and unnecessary high-frequency components such as CCD carriers. The frame sequential color video signals R, G, B output from the low-pass filter 24.
Passes through a correction circuit 30 as correction means for performing correction so that the variation of the color video signal is substantially constant.
White balance adjustment is performed by the white balance adjustment circuit 25.

Further, the signal output from the white balance adjustment circuit 25 is subjected to γ correction by the γ correction circuit 26, that is, the non-linearity correction of the electric-optical conversion system for displaying on the display tube, and the A / D conversion is performed. Input to converter 27. Note that the electric signal-light conversion characteristic of the television picture tube is not linear, and normally γ = 2.2. In order to correct this non-linearity to a linear characteristic in the entire system via the electronic endoscope, this γ is used. The input / output characteristics of the correction circuit 26 are normally set to the reciprocal of γ = 2.2, that is, γ = 0.45.

The digital image signal is converted by the A / D converter 27 into a digital video signal, and is written into one of the frame memories 28R, 28G, 28B corresponding to frame-sequential illumination. That is, for example, the red transmission filter 14
While being illuminated with red light through R and being imaged by CC7, a signal read from CCD7 is written to frame memory 28R. Others are the same. When one frame of image data is written into each of the frame memories 28R, 28G, and 28B, they are simultaneously read. Each synchronized signal has three D /
The signal is again converted into an analog signal by the A converter 29, and unnecessary high frequencies are removed by three low-pass filters 41.
Each is input to three output amplifiers 42.

The conversion speed of the A / D converter 27 and the writing / reading of data to / from each of the frame memories 28R, 28G, 28B are controlled by an output signal from the memory control circuit 43. The output signal of the memory control circuit 43 is
It is generated in synchronization with the control signal of the control circuit 44. The control signal of the control circuit 44 is generated in synchronization with the synchronization signal of the synchronization signal generation circuit 19.

R, G, B passed through each output amplifier 42
Are output from a primary color signal output terminal having an output impedance of 75Ω.

On the other hand, the output signals of the three amplifiers 42 are supplied to a matrix circuit 46, which converts them into a color difference signal and a luminance signal. The color encoder 47 generates an NTSC signal by combining the color difference signal, the luminance signal, and the synchronization signal of the synchronization signal generation circuit 19. The NTSC signal has a matching resistance of 75Ω.
Is supplied to an NTSC output terminal.

The white balance adjustment circuit 25 outputs a signal to the auto iris circuit 45 together with the γ correction circuit 26. The auto iris circuit 45 appropriately controls the aperture amount of the aperture 11.

The white balance adjusting circuit 25 is adapted to receive a later-described sequential control signal of the control circuit 44.

Next, a specific example of the correction circuit 30 as the correction means will be described below with reference to FIG.

The color video signal obtained from the CCD 7 is supplied to the preamplifier 21 and the isolation transformer 2.
2. The signal is input to the correction circuit 30 via the reset noise removal circuit 23 and the LPF 24.

Here, the dispersion of the transmission characteristics of the RGB rotary filters 24 constituting the illumination system, the dispersion of the transmittance of the light guide 8 as the light transmission means of the endoscope 2 at each wavelength, and the CCD 7 as the imaging means. The optical characteristics such as the dispersion of the spectral characteristics are considered. When a white chart is imaged, the level ratio of the R, G, and B signals at point a in FIG. 2 is, for example, approximately R: G: B = 0.85: 1: 0.5
Becomes These ratios are caused by the above-mentioned variations overlapping each other, and usually show different values when different CCDs or the like are used, for example.

In order to correct the variation, in the correction circuit 30, the input signal R is given by ΔR × α (where α = 1 /
0.85), the signal G has a fixed gain of {G × β (β = 1)}, and the signal B has a fixed gain of {B × γ (γ = 1 / 0.5)}. , 48g and 48b. That is, the fixed gain is set so as to correct the color variation by taking the reciprocal of the ratio between the color video signals of the CCD 7 obtained based on the optical characteristics. Accordingly, the respective outputs of the fixed amplifier circuits 48r, 48g, and 48b are corrected so that the respective signal ratios become R: G: B = 1: 1: 1 at the point b in FIG. . The switching circuit 49 switches and outputs the R, G, and B signals at the timing of the sequential control signal of the control circuit 44.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the color variation in each signal can be corrected to be substantially constant before the white balance by the correction circuit 30.

Next, the white balance (WB) adjustment circuit 25 adjusts the R, G, B outputs of the correction circuit 30 more precisely.

That is, the white balance adjustment circuit 25
The role of is to deviate from the median of the variation,
An almost perfect white balance correction is performed.
Therefore, the output signal at point c in FIG. 2 is a signal in which color variations due to variations in a plurality of endoscopes or light sources have been corrected.

In this embodiment, the R, G, and B output signals are corrected to a substantially constant value by using fixed (gain) values in the correction circuit 30. The convergence time is fast and the accuracy can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the circuit system including the correction circuit and the like is constituted by an analog signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, using a memory (not shown), the median value of the variation is stored in advance in this memory, and the stored R, G, B data is corrected by, for example, multiplying the value by the correction coefficient. Is also possible. In this example, for example, even when the endoscope or the like changes, it is possible to cope with the situation by selecting an appropriate value from a plurality of median values of variation obtained in advance.

FIGS. 3 to 5 are configuration diagrams according to a second embodiment of the present invention. First, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the correction circuit 50 and the white balance adjustment circuit 40 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the circuit shown in FIG.

In the correction circuit 50 shown in FIG.
The RGB sequential signal is, for example, the LPF 24 shown in FIG.
Input from This RGB sequential signal is supplied to a multiplier 51
, And through an S / H (sample and hold circuit) 52, comparators 53 and 54 output an R signal and a B signal for the G signal.
A signal level comparison is performed. By turning on a white balance (WB) / SW (not shown), the U / D counter 5 is turned on.
5 starts the operation of counting the outputs of the comparators 53 and 54. Next, the count value of the U / D counter 55 is D
Via the / A converters 56 and 57, the control circuit 4
Switching circuit 5 in accordance with the sequential control signal from
8 and output as R, G, B correction signals. The R, G, and B correction signals are supplied to the multiplier 5.
Enter 1 The multiplier 51 sequentially multiplies the original R, G, and B by a correction signal, and corrects R, G, and B to a substantially constant value.
A B signal is obtained. In the switching circuit 58, a fixed value VG is set to the G signal line.

The comparators 53 and 5 in the correction circuit 50
4 can be compared in a wide range, and the D / A converter 5
6, 57 uses a small number of bits.

The white balance adjusting circuit 40
In the above, the comparators 33 and 34 have a narrow range but high accuracy, and the D / A converters 36 and 37 have a large number of bits.

Since the white balance adjustment circuit 40 has the same configuration and operation as the adjustment circuit 88 shown in FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. The difference is that the U / D counter 37 of the adjustment circuit 40 starts the counting operation after a time set in advance by the timer 59 after turning on the WB / SW.

In the above configuration, when the WB / SW is turned on, first, the correction by the correction circuit 40 is performed. And
The timer 59 outputs a start signal after a time set in advance to the time when the operation of the correction circuit 50 is completed from the input of the WB start signal, that is, after the correction is completed. For example, when the correction processing of the R signal ends, a start signal for R is output. Next, when the correction processing of the B signal is completed, a start signal for B is output. Therefore, during the correction processing of the B signal, the adjustment circuit 40 performs white balance adjustment of the R signal.

Since the D / A converters 56 and 57 have a smaller number of bits, the accuracy is lower than that of the adjusting circuit 40, but the processing speed is higher.

The counting operation of the U / D counter 35 of the next stage white balance adjustment circuit 40 is started by the start signal. Since the D / A converters 36 and 37 have a large number of bits, the accuracy can be increased. In addition to that, since it has been roughly adjusted in the previous stage,
Since the count value of the U / D counter 35 can be small,
As a result, the processing speed is short.

In the present embodiment, the correction circuit 50 at the preceding stage can roughly perform the adjustment, and the white balance adjustment circuit 40 at the next stage can perform the accurate adjustment.

With the above configuration, when a white chart is imaged, the level ratio of R, G, and B immediately before input to the correction circuit 50 is:
R: G: B = 0.85 for the median of the variation due to the CCD, light guide, rotary filter, etc.
1: 0.50. In order to correct these, a preceding correction circuit 50 is provided before the white balance adjustment circuit 40.
And the level ratio is corrected in advance so that R: G: B = 1: 1: 1. Therefore, the white balance adjustment circuit 50 applies white balance to the signal corrected to a substantially constant value with respect to the median value of each variation, so that the convergence possible range can be widened, the accuracy is increased, and the convergence time is increased. Can also be faster.

Next, the processing at the subsequent stage of the white balance adjustment circuit 40 will be described. The well-balanced RGB signals that have passed through the white balance adjustment circuit 40 are input to the γ correction circuit 26 and A / D converter 27 shown in FIG. Then, the next-stage frame memories 28R and 28R
In G and 28B, the RGB signals are synchronized, and the synchronized RGB signals are supplied to three D / A converters 2 respectively.
9, through three LPFs 41, they are input to the subsequent processing circuit shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.

The subsequent processing circuit shown in FIG. 4 has a 50% white / color bar generating section 51a for generating a 50% white signal and a color bar signal.

The RGB signal from the LPF 41 is input to a first switching circuit 52a which is switched by a SW (not shown) of a front panel (not shown) by a timing (BAR / WHITE) signal of the generator 51a, and thereafter, Second switching circuit 53a and output amplifier 54a
And the like, it is output to a peripheral device (not shown) such as a photodetector device.

The first switching circuit 52a is 50% of the generator 51a selected by the third switching circuit 55a.
Either a white signal or a color bar signal is input. The first switching circuit 52a switches and outputs the RGB signals from the generator 51a or the LPF 41. Then, the selected output is input to the second switching circuit 53a and also input to an image processing device (not shown) which is a peripheral device via a buffer. The image processing device is configured to output the RG which is an input signal.
The B signal is subjected to image processing such as color enhancement or color shift correction accompanying the frame sequential imaging, and then output to the second switching circuit 53a.

The second switching circuit 53a selectively outputs a signal subjected to image processing by the image processing device and a signal (for example, RGB) selected via the first switching circuit 52a. In the second switching circuit 53a, switching is performed by a selection signal from the image processing apparatus, and the selected output signal is output to the next monochrome (monochrome).
The color / monochrome switching circuit 56a performs color / monochrome switching control in accordance with the instruction of the SW on the front panel. That is, when the monochrome mode is ON, the G signal is transmitted to the R, G, B signal lines.

Next, a monochrome / color switching circuit 56a
Are superimposed on a character such as a character from a CPU (not shown) in a superimpose circuit 57a in the next stage.

With such a configuration, an RGB video signal that is not superimposed can be sent to the image processing apparatus, and image processing is very easy.
Further, after the image processing apparatus processes only the video signal, the image processing apparatus returns to the processing system having the superimpose circuit 57a, and then performs superimposition. Therefore, with respect to the character, a problem due to the image processing (for example, if the image processing apparatus is a color enhancement apparatus, a color blur occurs in a character or the like) does not occur. In other words, with this device, image processing can be performed only on necessary video signals, and processing that is originally unnecessary for characters need not be performed. Therefore, an image in which a good character is superimposed on a good image can be obtained. it can.

RG with required superimposed
The B signal is output to the monitor, which is a peripheral device, via the next three output amplifiers 58a, the fourth switching circuit 59a, the monitor adjustment unit 60, and the three buffers.
A synchronization signal (C-SYNC) generated by the control unit 61 is also output to the monitor. Note that the synchronization signal is also sent to the image processing device.

The control section 61 controls a phase detection signal (WS) obtained from a light source device for inputting the synchronization signal.
P) is input via a photocoupler to generate the synchronization signal. The phase detection signal is a signal obtained by detecting a rotation phase of the rotation filter 14.

The superimpose circuit 57a
Are output together with the synchronizing signal to the photographic image pickup device as a peripheral device and the optical disk device for recording / reproducing via a buffer. The recorded image signal of the optical disk device is supplied to the fourth switching circuit 59a,
The data is displayed on the monitor via the monitor adjustment unit 60.

Further, the superimpose circuit 57
5A is input to the matrix circuit 62 shown in FIG. 5, and the synchronization signal of the control unit 61 is
Is input to the encoder circuit 63 shown in FIG. The RGB signal and the synchronizing signal are converted into a composite synchronizing (COMPOSIT) signal and a Y / C signal by the matrix circuit 62 and the encoder unit 63, respectively. The composite synchronizing signal and the Y / C signal are output to an optical disk device (V.DISK), a still video (SVR), and a video deck (VTR), which are peripheral devices, via a buffer amplifier. Image information is recorded.

A TV monitor (MON) as a peripheral device
In the ITOR, image information recorded on an optical disk device, a still video, or a video deck, or the composite synchronization signal is selectively selectively transmitted via the fifth switching circuit 64 based on the composite synchronization signal. Is to be entered.

Further, on the TV monitor (MONITOR), based on the Y / C signal, image information recorded on a still video or a video deck, or the Y / C signal is directly switched to the sixth and seventh switches. Via circuits 65 and 66,
It is designed to be entered selectively.

Although the above embodiments have been described based on the frame sequential imaging system, the present invention can be applied to a simultaneous imaging system. The imaging means is not limited to an electronic endoscope, but may be a video camera connected to an eyepiece of an optical fiber endoscope.

[0076]

As described above, according to the endoscope imaging apparatus of the present invention, the character information superimposed by the character information superimposing means is provided.
Information can be processed without unnecessary image processing.
Character information can be displayed or recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of a correction circuit.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a correction circuit and a white balance circuit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a processing circuit including a superimpose circuit connected to a stage subsequent to the circuit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a processing circuit connected to the circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional endoscope imaging apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional white balance circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope imaging device 2 ... Electronic endoscope 6 ... Objective lens 7 ... CCD 8 ... Light guide 3 ... Light source unit 12 ... Light source lamp 14 ... Rotating filter 4 ... Signal processing unit 25 ... White balance circuit 30 ... Correction Circuits 48r, 48g, 48b: Fixed amplifier circuit 49: Switching circuit 51a: 50% white / color bar generating section 52a: First switching circuit 53a: Second switching circuit 54a, 58a: Output amplifier 55a: Third switching Circuit 56a Monochrome (monochrome) / color switching circuit 57a Superimpose circuit 59a Fourth switching circuit 60 Monitor adjustment unit 61 Control unit 62 Matrix circuit 63 Encoder unit 64 Fifth switching circuit 65 Sixth switching circuit 66 ... Seventh switching circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, and a predetermined image corresponding to an image pickup signal picked up by the image pickup means.
Outputting the image pickup signal to an image processing apparatus for performing processing.
A first output unit for outputting the image data, the image data being output by the first output unit and being output by the image processing apparatus.
Image signal input means for inputting an image-processed image signal; and first image signal inputting an image signal from the image signal input means.
An input terminal for inputting the imaging signal from the imaging means;
An image pickup signal selection unit capable of selecting a second input terminal; and a selection signal from the image processing apparatus being transmitted to the image pickup signal selection unit.
A selection signal input means for inputting items, before the input selection signal by the selection signal input means
Input from the input terminal selected by the imaging signal selection means.
A character information superimposing means for superimposing the character information on the image pickup signal, the image signal character information in the character information superimposing means is superimposed
The endoscope imaging apparatus, wherein a equipped with a second output means for outputting on a predetermined display means.