Endoscope signal processing apparatus using sequential and synchronous imaging devices

• US 4,853,773 A
• Filed: 01/29/1988
• Issued: 08/01/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Eino, Teruo, Hibino, Hiroki, Kimura, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Application Number:
  US07/150,259
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 358/98, 358/901, 128/4, 128/6, 128/303.15, 350/96.26, 350/96.27, 250/227
• US Class Current: 348/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/125 Colour sequential image capture, e.g. using a colour wheel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/00 Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

The endoscope signal processing apparatus is provided with a first signal processing device processing the signal for a field sequential type imaging device and a second signal processing device processing the signal for a synchronous type imaging device. One signal processing device has a circuit partly used in common with the other signal processing device. Both signal processing device have a common video signal output end from which video signals from both signal processing devices are output. This apparatus is further provided with a discriminating device discriminating the imaging system of the endoscope to be connected and an output switching device whereby the video signal transmitted through the video signal processing device corresponding to the imaging system discriminated by this discriminating device is led selectively to the common video signal output.

Claims

1. An endoscope signal processing apparatus to which an endoscope provided with a field sequential type color imaging means and an endoscope provided with a synchronous type color imaging means can be commonly connected, said endoscope signal processing apparatus comprising:

a first processing means for processing a signal for said field sequential type color imaging means; and

a second signal processing means for processing a signal for said synchronous type color imaging means.

2. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a light source apparatus outputting an illuminating light, to said field sequential type color imaging means and a white light.

3. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first signal processing means and second signal processing means have a common video signal output end.

4. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 1 provided with a signal input end common to the field sequential type color imaging means and the synchronous type color imaging means.

5. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a discriminating means for discriminating an imaging system of an endoscope to be connected and an output switching means wherein a video signal transmitted through a video signal processing means corresponding to the imaging system discriminated by said discriminating means is led selectively to said common video signal output end.

6. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a light modulator converting a video signal from both signal processing means to a light signal and an output end outputting modulated light modulated by said light modulator.

7. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a discriminating means for discriminating an imaging system of an endoscope to be connected and an input switching means wherein a signal from said common signal input end is led selectively to a signal processing means corresponding to the imaging system discriminated by said discriminating means.

8. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 7 wherein said discriminating means has a comparing means for determining the imaging system by a characteristic of an output signal of the imaging means which is different depending on the imaging system.

9. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one signal processing means having a circuit partly used in common with the other signal processing means.

10. An endoscope signal processing apparatus to which an endoscope provided with a field sequential type color imaging means and an endoscope provided with a synchronous type color imaging means can be connected, said endoscope signal processing apparatus comprising:

a first signal processing means for processing a signal for said field sequential type color imaging means; and

a second signal processing for processing a signal for said sequential type color imaging means,

said first signal processing means having a circuit partly used in common with said second signal processing means.

11. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said second signal processing means is separable from said first signal processing means.

12. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said first signal processing means has a process circuit producing R, G and B three primary color signals from a picture image information signal from said field sequential type imaging means.

13. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said second signal processing means has a process circuit producing a luminance signal and color difference signals from a picture image information signal from said synchronous imaging means.

14. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said circuit used in common is an outline enhancing circuit.

15. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said first signal processing means has a process circuit producing R, G, B three primary color signals from a picture image information signal from said field sequential type imaging means and a matrix circuit converting the three primary color signals from said process circuit to a luminance signal and color difference signals;

said second signal processing means has a process circuit producing a luminance signal and color difference signals from a picture image information signal from said synchronous type imaging means;

a selecting means selecting a luminance signal and color difference signals from one of said signal processing means is further provided; and

the luminance signal from said selecting means is input into said outline enhancing circuit.

16. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said first signal processing means and second signal processing means have a common video signal output end.

17. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 further comprising a bypass circuit which bypasses said commonly used circuit.

18. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein a common signal input end is provided for said field sequential type color imaging means and said synchronous type color imaging means.

19. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising an input switching means for leading a signal from said common signal input end selectively to said first signal processing means and said second signal processing means.

20. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising a discriminating means for discrimination an imaging system of an endoscope to be connected, said switching means selecting the signal processing means for an imaging means of the endoscope to be used based upon a discriminating output of said discriminating means.

21. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said first signal processing means has a first memory means for storing a video signal.

22. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said commonly used circuit is a second memory means for inputting a video signal from said first memory means and for storing said video signal.

23. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising a picture quality adjusting means between said first memory means and said second memory means.

24. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising a line interpolating means in rear part of said second memory means.

25. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising a first output means for outputting the video signal from said first memory means and a second output means for outputting a video signal from said second memory means.

26. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said first memory means consists of a plurality of frame memories respectively storing signals imaged in response to respective illuminating lights of field sequential type.

27. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising a mixing means for mixing the video signal from said first output means and the video signal from said second output means and for displaying on one monitor an image by the video signal from said first output means and an image by the video signal from said second output means.

28. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising a picture quality adjusting means between said first memory means and said first output means and second memory means.

29. An endoscope system comprising:

a first endoscope comprising an elongate insertable part having an observing window in a tip part and a first imaging means for receiving and for color-imaging in a field sequential type a light from an object incident from said observing window;

a second endoscope comprising an elongate insertable part having an observing window in a tip part and a second imaging means for receiving and for color-imaging in a synchronous type a light from an object incident from said observing window;

an illuminating means for feeding illuminating light to said first endoscope and said second endoscope;

a signal processing apparatus having a first signal processing means for processing a signal for said first endoscope and a second signal processing means for processing a signal for said second endoscope; and

a color monitor inputting video signals from said respective signal processing means and color-displaying an object image,

one signal processing means having a circuit partly used in common with the other signal processing means.

30. An endoscope system comprising:

a first endoscope comprising an elongate insertable part having an observing window in a tip part and a first imaging means for receiving and for color-imaging in a field sequential type a light from an object incident from said observing window;

a second endoscope comprising an elongate insertable part having an observing window in a tip part and a second imaging means for receiving and for color-imaging in a synchronous type a light from an object incident from said observing window;

an illuminating means for feeding illuminating light to said first endoscope and said second endoscope;

a first signal processing means for processing a signal for said first endoscope;

a second signal processing means for processing a signal for said second endoscope;

a color monitor inputting video signals from said respective signal processing means and color-displaying an object image,

said first signal processing means and said second signal processing means having a common video signal output end.

31. An endoscope system according to claim 30 further comprising a discriminating means for discriminating an imaging system of an endoscope to be connected and an output switching means wherein a video signal transmitted through a video signal processing means corresponding to the imaging system discriminated by said discriminating means is led selectively to said common video signal output end.

32. An endoscope system according to claim 31 wherein said discriminating means has a comparing means for determining the imaging system by a characteristic of an output signal of an imaging means which is different depending on the imaging system.

33. An endoscope system according to claim 31 wherein a light source apparatus having said illuminating means and connected with said first signal processing means only when said first endoscope is used and said discriminating means has a connection sensing means for discriminating the imaging system of the endoscope to be used by sensing whether said light source apparatus and said first signal processing means are connected with each other or not.

34. An endoscope system according to claim 31 wherein said first endoscope and said second endoscope have respectively discriminating information generating means for generating information showing the imaging system and said discriminating means inputs information generated by said discriminating information generating means to discriminate the imaging system.

35. An endoscope system according to claim 34 wherein said discriminating information generating means has two terminals, each terminal has a different resistance depending on the imaging system and said discriminating means has a sensing means for sensing a resistance value between the two terminals of said discriminating information generating means.

36. An endoscope system according to claim 34 wherein said discriminating information generating means has a discriminating part provided in a connector part connected to said first and second signal processing means which is different in form depending on the imaging system and said discriminating means has a sensing means for sensing a difference of the form of said discriminating part.

37. An endoscope system according to claim 36 wherein said sensing means has a light emitting means, a light receiving means opposed to said light emitting means with said discriminating part held therebetween and a light amount sensing means for sensing a received light amount of said light receiving means.

38. An endoscope signal processing apparatus to which an endoscope, provided with one of a field sequential type color imaging means and a synchronous type color imaging means, can be connected, said endoscope signal processing apparatus comprising:

at least a signal processing means for processing a signal for said one of said color imaging means, said signal processing means being provided within an integral apparatus; and

said signal processing means having a circuit sued partly in common with the other color signal processing means processing a signal for the other color imaging means.

39. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said signal processing means processes the signal for the field sequential type color imaging means.

40. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said signal processing means has a processing circuit producing three primary color signals of R, G and B from a picture image information signal from the field sequential type imaging means.

41. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said signal processing means processes the signal for the synchronous type color imaging means.

42. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said signal processing means has a processing circuit producing a luminance signal and color difference signals from a picture image information signal from the synchronous type color imaging means.

43. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said commonly used circuit is an outline enhancing circuit.

44. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said signal processing means has a video signal output end usable in common with the other color signal processing means.

45. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 38 further comprising a bypass circuit which bypasses said commonly used circuit.

46. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 38 further comprising a light source apparatus which can output an illuminating light to the field sequential type color imaging means and a white color light.

47. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said signal processing means has a first memory means for storing a video signal.

48. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said commonly used circuit is a second memory means for inputting a video signal from said first memory means and for storing said video signal.

49. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 48 further comprising a first output means which can output a video signal from said first storage means and a second output means which can output a video signal from said second memory means.

50. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said first memory means is a plurality of frame memories respectively storing signals imaged in response to respective field sequential illuminating light.

51. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 50 further comprising a mixing means wherein a video signal from said first output means and a video signal from said second output means are mixed and the video signal from the first output means and the video signal from the second output means can be displayed on one monitor.

52. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 50 further comprising a picture quality adjusting means provided between said first memory means and the first output means and second memory means.

53. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 48 further comprising a picture quality adjusting means provided between said first memory means and said second memory means.

54. An endoscope signal processing apparatus according to claim 48 further comprising a line interpolating means provided in a rear part of said second memory means.