Endoscope system transmitting a magnification ratio to an external processing device

• US 5,871,439 A
• Filed: 01/18/1996
• Issued: 02/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Takahashi, Tadashi, Nakashima, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/588,261
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 600/117, 600/118, 600/109, 348/65, 348/72, 348/74, 348/76
• US Class Current: 600/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion

Abstract

An endoscope system, having an exchangeable endoscope device, for outputting an image data and a video processing device. The endoscope device is provided with a memory for storing data related to an endoscope type. The video processing device reads the data related to the endoscope type, and transmits the data to a peripheral device. The video processing device has a display, and is capable of displaying an image on the display in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of magnification ratios. The selected magnification ratio is also transmitted to the peripheral device.

Claims

1. An endoscope system, comprising:

means for outputting image data, said outputting means having a memory that stores data related to a type of said outputting means;

means for processing said image data, said outputting means being detachably connected to said processing means, said processing means reading said data related to said type of said outputting means;

means for indicating said image data processed by said processing means; and

at least one peripheral device that further processes said image data, said at least one peripheral device being detachably connected to said processing means,

wherein said processing means processes said image data such that said image data is indicated by said indicating means in accordance with one of a plurality of magnification ratios, said processing means transmitting output data corresponding to said data related to said type of outputting means and data corresponding to said one of said plurality of magnification ratios to said peripheral device.

8. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said output data represents said type of said endoscope device.

9. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said video processing device has an operation member for selecting said one of said plurality of magnification ratios.

10. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said video processing device is capable of transmitting said image data to said peripheral device.

11. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said endoscope device comprises an electronic endoscope provided with an imaging device for receiving an optical image and outputting an image signal corresponding to said received image.

12. The endoscope system according to claim 11, wherein said output data includes data related to a type of said imaging device.

13. The endoscope system according to claim 12, wherein said imaging device comprises a charge coupled device.

14. The endoscope system according to claim 13, wherein said output data includes data representing a number of pixels of said charge coupled device.

15. The endoscope system according to claim 13, wherein said endoscope device comprises:

an optical endoscope provided with an eyepiece lens, an object being able to be observed through said eyepiece lens; and

an imaging device to be coupled to said eyepiece lens, said imaging device receiving an optical image through said eyepiece lens and converting said optical image into electronic image data.

16. The endoscope system according to claim 15, wherein said optical endoscope has said memory for storing data related a characteristic of said optical endoscope.

17. The endoscope system according to claim 16, wherein said optical endoscope includes an image fiber for transmitting an optical image, and wherein said data related to a characteristic of said optical endoscope represents a diameter of said image fiber, and a focal length of said eyepiece lens.

18. The endoscope system according to claim 17, wherein said imaging device comprises a charge coupled device for receiving an optical image and outputting an image signal corresponding to said received image, a lens for receiving light from said eyepiece lens of said optical endoscope and forming an optical image on said charge coupled device, and a memory for storing data related to a characteristic of said charge coupled device and said lens for receiving light from said eyepiece lens of said optical endoscope.

19. The endoscope system according to claim 15, wherein said imaging device comprises an imaging element for receiving an optical image and converting a received optical image into said electronic image data, and a lens for forming an image on said imaging element.

20. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral device performs an edge detection on said image data.

21. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral device reduces noise included in said image data output by said endoscope device.

22. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral device increases a sharpness of said image data.

2. An endoscope system, comprising:

an exchangeable endoscope device for outputting image data;

video processing means for processing said image data, said exchangeable endoscope device being coupled to said video processing means;

means for displaying an image in accordance with said image data processed by said video processing means;

means for identifying a currently coupled endoscope device;

at least one peripheral device that further processes said image data, said at least one peripheral device being detachably connected to said video processing means;

means for transmitting said image data output by said video processing means; and

means for transmitting data related to said currently coupled endoscope device to said at least one peripheral device, said video processing means processing said image data so that said displaying means displays said image at more than one magnification ratio, said data transmitting means transmitting a magnification ratio in accordance with a magnification ratio of said image being displayed by said displaying means.

3. The endoscope system of claim 2, wherein said endoscope device comprises an electronic endoscope having an imaging device that receives an optical image and outputs an image signal corresponding to said received optical image.

4. The endoscope of claim 3, wherein said imaging device comprises a charge coupled device.

5. The endoscope of claim 2, wherein said endoscope device comprises:

an optical endoscope; and

an imaging device coupled to said optical endoscope to receive an optical image from said optical endoscope for conversion to electronic image data.

6. The endoscope of claim 2, wherein said at least one peripheral device improves a signal quality of said image data.

7. An endoscope system, comprising:

an endoscope device that outputs image data, said endoscope device having a memory that stores data related to a type of said endoscope device;

a video processing device that processes said image data, said endoscope device being detachably connected to said video processing device, said video processing device reading said data related to said type of said endoscope device;

a display that displays said image data processed by said video processing device; and

at least one peripheral device that further processes said image data, said at least one peripheral device being detachably connected to said video processing device,

wherein said video processing device processes said image data such that said image data is displayed on said display in accordance with one of a plurality of magnification ratios, said video processing device transmitting output data corresponding to said data related to said type of endoscope device and data corresponding to said one of said plurality of magnification ratios to said peripheral device.