Electronic endoscope system provided with a means of imaging frozen pictures having few picture image smears

• US RE34,504 E
• Filed: 10/11/1990
• Issued: 01/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Sasagawa, Katsuyoshi, Kanno, Mashide, Hasegawa, Jun, Yamashita, Shinji, Nakagawa, Takehiro, Nakamura, Kazunari, Uchikubo, Akinobu, Saito, Katsuyuki, Sasaki, Masahiko, Uehara, Masao, Hiyama, Keiichi, Hattori, Shinichiro, Kusumoto, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US07/597,906
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 358/98, 358/105, 358/222, 128/6
• US Class Current: 348/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/2255 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscope, borescope
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/144 Movement detection for video coding H04N19/503; analysis of motion in general G06T7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/23248 for stable pick-up of the scene in spite of camera body vibration image-sensor selective scanning per se H04N3/1562
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/23254 based on the image signal analysis of motion by image processing in general G06T7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/23267 performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/4448 for frame-grabbing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/045 using solid-state devices scanning of colour motion picture films H04N9/11; Imager structures H01L27/146

Abstract

There is provided a frozen picture memorizing memory holding as a frozen picture image a picture image signal imaged by an electronic endoscope. By the operation of a frozen picture directing switch, whether the frozen picture is adapted to the memorizing condition or not is judged through a picture image movement detecting circuit. In case it is judged to be adapted to the memorizing condition, the picture image signal is memorized actually as a frozen picture image to obtain a clear frozen picture having little color smear and fogging.

Claims

1. An electronic endoscope system comprising:

an electronic endoscope provided with an elongate insertable part, an objective optical system provided on .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.tip side of said insertable part and forming an image of an object, an imaging device .Iadd.having an imaging surface for .Iaddend.photoelectrically converting the image based on said objective optical system and an illuminating light emitting means emitting an illuminating light from the tip side of said insertable part;

a driving signal outputting means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.outputting a driving signal .[.outputting.]. .Iadd.to said imaging device and causing said imaging device to output .Iaddend.a picture image signal .[.from said imaging device.].;

a video signal processing means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.producing a video signal from said picture image signal;

a displaying means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.displaying said video signal on a monitor picture surface;

a picture image .[.recording.]. .Iadd.memorizing .Iaddend.means which can write-in/read-out said picture image signal or said video signal;

a movement detecting means whereby picture image signals imaged by said imaging device at different times are input and the movement amounts of the respective picture image signals are detected;

a frozen picture memory judging means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.judging whether said movement amount detected by said movement detecting means .[.is adapted.]. .Iadd.corresponds .Iaddend.to .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.frozen picture memorizing condition or not;

a frozen picture memorizing signal outputting means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.outputting a control signal .[.making.]. .Iadd.and causing .Iaddend.said picture image memorizing means .Iadd.to .Iaddend.hold the picture image signal of the frozen picture .[.by the.]. .Iadd.in response to a .Iaddend.judging signal .[.judged.]. .Iadd.outputted .Iaddend.by said judging means .[.to be adapted to said memorizing condition.].; and

a frozen picture directing means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.directing the memorization of the frozen picture .[.adapted.]. .Iadd.corresponding .Iaddend.to said memorizing condition.

2. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 1 wherein said frozen picture .[.memorization.]. .Iadd.memory .Iaddend.judging means .[.has a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.least movement amount detecting means .[.by which the.]. .Iadd.for detecting a .Iaddend.least or minimum movement amount of the movement detecting signal .[.of the.]. .Iadd.from .Iaddend.respective picture image signals input from said movement detecting means .[.is made.]..Iadd., said least movement amount indicating .Iaddend.a frozen picture memory memorizing condition.Iadd., .Iaddend.and .[.and a.]. .Iadd.further comprising .Iaddend.threshold value comparing means .[.by which the case that.]. .Iadd.for comparing .Iaddend.the movement detecting signals input from said movement detecting means .Iadd.with a threshold value, wherein when said movement detecting signals .Iaddend.are within .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.threshold value .[.is made.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.a frozen picture memory memorizing condition .Iadd.is indicated.Iaddend..

3. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 1 wherein said frozen picture directing means .[.is formed of.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a switch provided in said electronic endoscope.

4. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 1 wherein said frozen picture directing means .[.is.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a foot switch.

5. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said frozen picture .[.memorization.]. .Iadd.memory .Iaddend.judging means .[.has a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.memorizing condition changing means .[.making it possible to change.]. .Iadd.for changing .Iaddend.said memorizing condition.

6. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said movement detecting means detects the movement amount by detecting .[.the size.]. .Iadd.a magnitude .Iaddend.of .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.time correlation amount between .[.the.]. picture image signals imaged at respectively different times.

7. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4 further .[.having a.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.forcible frozen picture directing means .[.forcibly making.]. .Iadd.for forcing .Iaddend.said picture image .[.recording.]. .Iadd.memorizing .Iaddend.means .[.record.]. .Iadd.to hold .Iaddend.not only the output signal from said judging means but also the picture image signal by one field/frame as a frozen picture.

8. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said picture image memorizing means .[.has a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.delaying means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.delaying .[.the picture image.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.input .Iadd.of the picture image .Iaddend.for .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.time exceeding the time required to detect .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.size of the movement .[.amount.]. .Iadd.amounts detected .Iaddend.by said movement detecting means.

9. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said movement detecting means detects movement amounts in .[.the.]. picture image signals imaged at the same time.

10. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 9 wherein said movement detecting means .[.is formed of a.]. .Iadd.comprises extracting .Iaddend.means .[.of.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.extracting high band components of spatial frequencies in the picture image signal.

11. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said frozen picture .[.memorization.]. .Iadd.memory .Iaddend.judging means compares said movement amounts in a plurality of picture image signals and judges .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.least or minimum movement amount .[.to be adapted.]. .Iadd.corresponding .Iaddend.to the memorizing condition.

12. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 11 wherein said picture image memorizing means .[.has.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a plurality of picture image .[.memories.]. .Iadd.memory means for .Iaddend.respectively memorizing a plurality of color picture images.

13. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 12 wherein said movement detecting means .[.judges.]. .Iadd.determines from .Iaddend.a picture image signal .[.in which the.]. .Iadd.having a least or minimum .Iaddend.movement amount .[.is the least or minimum in.]. .Iadd.from among .Iaddend.said plurality of picture image memories.

14. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said frozen picture image memorization judging means .[.is a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.threshold value outputting means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.outputting a threshold value .[.in.]. .Iadd.within .Iaddend.an allowable range of the size of the movement amount .[.as said.]. .Iadd.so that when said movement amount is within said allowable range, the movement amount corresponds to said .Iaddend.memorizing condition.

15. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 14 wherein said threshold value outputting means .[.can vary.]. .Iadd.comprises means for varying .Iaddend.said threshold value.

16. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 14.Iadd., .Iaddend.wherein said frozen picture memorizing controlling means .[.has.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a timer.Iadd., said timer being .Iaddend.started by a directing signal .[.by.]. .Iadd.output from .Iaddend.said frozen picture memorizing directing means and .[.forcibly.]. .Iadd.wherein said frozen picture memorizing directing means .Iaddend.outputs a frozen picture writing-in signal to said picture image memorizing means after the time set by said timer.

17. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4 further .[.having a.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.picture image recording means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.recording a picture image signal corresponding to the frozen picture memorized in said picture image memorizing means.

18. An electronic endoscope system according to claim .[.19.]. .Iadd.17 .Iaddend.wherein said picture image .[.memorizing.]. .Iadd.recording .Iaddend.means .[.is.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.any one of a video printer, video disc and video tape recorder.

19. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 17 further .[.having a.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.releasing directing means .[.making.]. .Iadd.for outputting a releasing directing signal and directing .Iaddend.said picture image recording means .Iadd.to .Iaddend.record the picture image of said picture image memorizing means.

20. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 19 further .[.having a.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.releasing controlling means .Iadd.for outputting a releasing signal to said picture image recording means, .Iaddend.wherein the releasing directing signal from said releasing directing means is input and, after the memorization of the frozen picture in said picture image memorizing means ends, .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.releasing signal is output to said picture image recording means.

21. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 1 wherein said frozen picture .[.memorization.]. .Iadd.memory .Iaddend.judging means .[.has a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.memorizing condition changing means .[.making it possible to change.]. .Iadd.for changing .Iaddend.said memorizing condition.

22. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 21 wherein said memorizing condition changing means .[.can.]. .Iadd.comprises means for .Iaddend.manually .[.change.]. .Iadd.changing .Iaddend.the memorizing condition.

23. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 21 wherein said memorizing condition changing means is set at the least value of the size of a plurality of movement amounts output for .[.the.]. respective picture image signals from said movement detecting means.

24. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 21 wherein said memorizing condition changing means renews the memorizing condition by the size of the movement amount in the case that said changing means judges the movement amount to .[.be adapted.]. .Iadd.correspond .Iaddend.to said memorizing condition at that time.

25. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 24 wherein said memorizing condition changing means .[.is formed of.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a digital circuit.

26. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 24 wherein said memorizing condition changing means .[.is formed of.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.analogue circuit.

27. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 24 wherein said memorizing condition changing means .[.has a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.renewing operation time setting means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.determining .[.the.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.operation time .[.of.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.renewing said memorizing condition.

28. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 27 wherein said renewing operation time setting means .[.has a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.scope discriminating means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.discriminating the electronic endoscope to be connected and .Iadd.for .Iaddend.automatically .[.sets.]. .Iadd.setting .Iaddend.said operation time .[.by the.]. .Iadd.response to an .Iaddend.output signal .[.of.]. .Iadd.from .Iaddend.said scope discriminating means.

29. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 27 wherein said renewing operation time setting means .[.is.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a timer.

30. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 29 wherein said timer .[.can.]. variably .[.set.]. .Iadd.sets .Iaddend.the time .[.of making.]. .Iadd.for effecting .Iaddend.said renewing operation.

31. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, or 21 wherein said movement detecting means detects .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.movement amount within the picture image region of the picture image signal imaged by said imaging device.

32. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 31 wherein said movement detecting means detects the movement amount within .[.the.]. .Iadd.a part of said .Iaddend.picture image region .[.of a part of said picture image region.]..

33. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 32 further .[.having a.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.region varying means .[.which can.]. .Iadd.for varying .Iaddend.vary the picture image region of said .[.one.]. part .[.detecting the movement amount.]. .Iadd.of said picture image region.Iaddend..

34. An electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, or 21 wherein said illuminating light emitting means .[.is formed of.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a light guide .Iadd.means for .Iaddend.transmitting an illuminating light fed to one end surface .Iadd.thereof .Iaddend.and emitting .[.it.]. .Iadd.the illuminating light .Iaddend.from .[.the other.]. .Iadd.another .Iaddend.end surface arranged on the tip side of said insertable part .[.and.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.said light guide .[.can be held at.]. .Iadd.and wherein .Iaddend.said one end .Iadd.is releasably held .Iaddend.by a light source means outputting the illuminating light.

35. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 34 wherein said light source means .[.is a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.sequential light outputting means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.time-sequentially outputting illuminating lights of respectively different wavelength ranges.

36. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 35 wherein said imaging device has a color separating color filter in front of .[.its.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.imaging surface.

37. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 35 wherein said movement detecting means .[.is a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.color smear detecting means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.detecting .[.the size.]. .Iadd.a magnitude .Iaddend.of .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.time-correlation amount for the picture image signal components of respectively different wavelength bands imaged at different times and forming .[.the.]. color picture images of one field/frame.

38. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 37 wherein said movement detecting means .[.has a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.signal level standardizing means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.arranging the levels in .[.the.]. one field/frame period .[.of.]. .Iadd.from .Iaddend.a plurality of picture image signal components having .[.the size.]. .Iadd.said magnitude .Iaddend.of the .[.correlation.]. .Iadd.time-correlation .Iaddend.amount detected.

39. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 37 wherein said picture image signal components of respectively different wavelength bands are imaged in the wavelength band of at least one of .[.the.]. respective wavelength bands of red, green and blue.

40. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 34 wherein said light source means .[.is a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.white light outputting means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.outputting a white light.

41. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 40 wherein said movement detecting means detects .[.the size.]. .Iadd.a magnitude .Iaddend.of .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.correlation amount between .[.the.]. picture image signal components of respectively different wavelength bands forming a color picture image of one field/frame.

42. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 40 wherein said imaging device has a color separating color filter in front of .[.its.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.imaging surface.

43. An electronic endoscope system according to claim .[.41.]. .Iadd.42 .Iaddend.wherein said electronic endoscope .[.is.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.an electronic scope in which said imaging device is arranged in .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.focal plane of said objective optical system.

44. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 42 wherein said electronic endoscope .[.is.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a scope externally fitted with a television camera and .[.formed of.]. .Iadd.further comprising .Iaddend.a fiber scope arranged on one end surface in .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.focal plane of said objective optical system and having an optical image transmitting image guide means on the other end surface .Iadd.thereof.Iaddend., an image forming optical system fittable .[.as opposed to.]. .Iadd.adjacent .Iaddend.said other end surface of said fiber scope and forming said optical image transmitted to said other end surface and a television camera .[.unit.]. .Iadd.means for .Iaddend.photoelectrically converting the optical image .Iadd.formed .Iaddend.by said image forming optical system.

45. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 42 wherein said picture image memorizing means .[.is.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.a semiconductor memory .Iadd.means for .Iaddend.memorizing color picture image signals at least of one field/frame.

46. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 45 wherein said frozen picture memorizing signal outputting means .[.has a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.memory writing/reading controlling .[.function whereby, in case.]. .Iadd.means for controlling said memory such that in the event .Iaddend.an adaptation judging signal .[.adapted.]. .Iadd.corresponding .Iaddend.to said memorizing condition is not input from said frozen picture judging means, a memory writing signal .Iadd.for effecting .Iaddend.writing .Iadd.of .Iaddend.the color picture image signal of one field/frame .Iadd.and .Iaddend.input into said semiconductor memory is output and a memory reading signal .Iadd.for effecting reading out .Iadd.of .Iaddend.the color picture image signal written in before one field/frame is output.

47. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 46 .Iadd.further comprising first and second semiconductor memories .Iaddend.wherein said frozen picture memorizing means outputs a frozen picture memorizing signal .[.making.]. .Iadd.for inactivating .Iaddend.said memory writing signal .[.inactive on.]. .Iadd.in .Iaddend.said first or second semiconductor memory when said adaptation judging signal is input.

48. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 42 wherein said movement detecting means .[.is a.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.color smear detecting means .Iadd.for .Iaddend.detecting .[.the size.]. .Iadd.a magnitude .Iaddend.of .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.time-correlation amount between the picture image signal components having a common wavelength band in a plurality of color picture images imaged at different times.

49. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 48 wherein said color smear detecting means detects the .[.size.]. .Iadd.magnitude .Iaddend.of the time-correlation amount between the picture image signal components imaged only in a common wavelength band.

50. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 48 wherein said picture image signal components having .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.common wavelength band are imaged in the wavelength band of at least one of the wavelengths of red, green and blue.

51. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 48 wherein said picture image signal components having .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.common wavelength band form at least one of a luminance signal and color difference signal. .Iadd.52. An electronic endoscope system comprising:

an electronic endoscope provided with an elongate insertable part, an objective optical system provided on a tip side of said insertable part and forming an image of an object, an imaging device having an imaging surface for photoelectrically converting the image based on said objective optical system and an illuminating light emitting means emitting an illuminating light from the tip side of said insertable part;

a driving signal outputting means for outputting a driving signal to said imaging device and causing said imaging device to output a picture image signal;

a video signal processing means for producing a video signal from said picture image signal;

a displaying means for displaying said video signal on a monitor;

a picture image memorizing means which can write-in/read-out said picture image signal or said video signal;

a movement detecting means whereby a picture image signal imaged by said imaging device is input and the movement signal is detected;

a frozen picture memory judging means for judging whether said movement amount detected by said movement detecting means corresponds to a frozen picture memorizing condition or not;

a frozen picture memorizing signal outputting means for outputting a control signal and causing said picture image memorizing means to hold the picture image signal of the frozen picture in response to a judging signal outputted by said judging means; and

a frozen picture directing means for directing the memorization of the frozen picture corresponding to said memorizing condition. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52 wherein said frozen picture directing means comprises a switch provided in said electronic endoscope. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52 wherein said frozen picture directing means comprises a foot switch. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52 further comprising forcible frozen picture directing means for forcing said picture image memorizing means to hold not only the output signal from said judging means but also the picture image signal by one field/frame as a frozen picture. .Iaddend. .Iadd.56. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52 wherein said movement detecting means detects a movement amount by self-correlating an imaged picture image signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 56 wherein said movement detecting means comprises means for extracting high band components of spatial frequencies in the picture image signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.58. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52, wherein said frozen picture memory judging means compares said movement amount in a plurality of picture image signals and judges the least or minimum movement amount corresponding to the memorizing condition. .Iaddend. .Iadd.59. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52 wherein said frozen picture image memorization judging means comprises threshold value outputting means for outputting a threshold value within an allowable range of the size of the movement amount so that when said movement amount is within said allowable range, the movement amount corresponds to said memorizing condition. .Iaddend. .Iadd.60. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 59 wherein said threshold value outputting means comprises means for varying said threshold value. .Iaddend. .Iadd.61. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52 wherein said frozen picture memory judging means comprises memorizing condition changing means for changing said memorizing condition. .Iaddend. .Iadd.62. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 61 wherein said memorizing condition changing means comprises means for manually changing the memorizing condition. .Iaddend. .Iadd.63. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 61 wherein said memorizing condition changing means is set at the least value of the size of a plurality of movement amount output for respective picture image signals from said movement detecting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.64. An electronic endoscope according to claim 61 wherein said memorizing condition changing means renews the memorizing condition by the size of the movement amount in the case that said changing means judges the movement amount to correspond to said memorizing condition at that time. .Iaddend. .Iadd.65. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 64 wherein said memorizing condition changing means comprises renewing operation time setting means for determining an operation time for renewing said memorizing condition. .Iaddend. .Iadd.66. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 65 whereins said renewing operation time setting means comprises a timer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.67. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 66 wherein said timer variably sets the time for effecting said renewing operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.68. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52 wherein said movement detecting means detects a movement amount within a picture image region of the picture image signal image by said imaging device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.69. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 68 wherein said movement detecting means detects the movement amount within a part of said picture image region. .Iaddend. .Iadd.70. An electronic endoscope system according to claim 52 wherein said electronic endoscope comprises a scope externally fitted with a television camera and further comprising a fiber scope arranged on one end surface in a focal plane of said objective optical system and having an optical image transmitting image guide means on the other end surface thereof, an image forming optical system fittable adjacent said other end surface of said fiber scope and forming said optical image transmitted to said other end surface and a television camera means for photoelectrically converting the optical image formed by said image forming optical system. .Iaddend.