Remote controllable endoscope system

• US 20040225185A1
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Sato, Saichi, Obata, Mitsuo
• Granted Patent: US 7,252,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00022 removable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0004 for electronic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0005 combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/36 arranged for photographic purposes or projection purposes G02B21/18 takes precedenceor digital imaging or video purposes including associated control and data processing arrangements image data processing per se G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• 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 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

An endoscope control system comprises a network server device which is provided with an interface for executing an external application software and stores a graphical user interface (GUI) which is a display information which is written in at least a server language and external application software, and a network interface (network I/F). By doing this, it is possible to control remotely the endoscope device without connecting the endoscope device and the control section.

Claims

1. An endoscope control system comprising:

a network server device which is provided with an interface for executing an external application software and stores a graphical user interface (GUI) which is a display information which is written in at least a server language and external application software; and

a network interface (network I/F).

2. An endoscope control system according to claim 1 wherein the external application software is formed by a computer program.

3. An endoscope control system according to claim 1 wherein the external application software is formed by a script.

4. An endoscope control system according to claim 1 wherein the interface is formed by a common gateway interface (CGI).

5. An endoscope control system according to claim 1 wherein the interface is formed by an active server pages (ASP).

6. An endoscope control system comprising:

an endoscope device which is provided with insertion section for taking an image for an inner section of a sample object for obtaining an endoscope image;

a control section which is connected to the endoscope device via a cable and has a server for performing a network communication so as to transmit and receive the endoscope image by an electric signal or an optical signal and control a driving operation for the endoscope device;

a communication network structure which is connectable to the control section; and

at least an external terminal which has a function for operating the encodscope device while observing the endoscope image via the communication network, wherein the endoscope device is controlled remotely by the external terminal when the external terminal and the control section are connected by the communication network.

7. An endoscope control system according to claim 6 further comprising:

a control section which is provided with a first image and a voice capture;

at least an external terminal which is provided with a server which is connectable to the communication network structure and a function for operating the endoscope device while observing the endoscope image, wherein

each external terminal has a second image and a voice capture;

a mutual communication is performed between the first image with the voice capture and the second image with the voice capture in addition to the endoscope image when the external terminals and the control section are connected via the communication network.

8. An endoscope control system according to claim 7 wherein the server converts an instruction from the external terminal and/or the control section for controlling a driving operation for the endoscope device to a signal for controlling the driving operation for the endoscope device by using a script.

10. An endoscope control system according to claim 6 wherein:

the remote control device and the external terminal have a microphone and speaker and/or a camera respectively; and

the remote control device and the external terminal perform a mutual communication via the network such that circumstance condition around the remote control device and the external terminal are exchanged by using a voice and image.

11. An endoscope control system according to claim 6 wherein, an image display section and an operation switch section are disposed separately in the remote control device which has a function for displaying image such that the operation switch section is connected to the endoscope device via a wireless communication so as to control the driving operation by transmitting an operation signal.

12. An endoscope control system according to claim 6 wherein:

a connection between the control section and the external terminal are controlled exclusively by an identification number (ID) or a password; and

the driving operation for the endoscope is controlled only by the external terminal which is allowed by the control section.

9. An endoscope control system comprising:

an endoscope device which is provided with an insertion section which takes an image for an inner section of a sample object so as to obtain an endoscope image so as to perform a communication for an information which includes the endoscope image by connecting to a communication network;

a remote control device which has a function for displaying image which can be connect to the network and to the endoscope device mutually via the network so as to be controlled remotely while observing an image which is outputted from the endoscope device and an information which relates to the outputted image;

at least an external terminal which is connected to the endoscope via the network and has a function for operating the endoscope device while observing the endoscope image, wherein

the operation for taking an image by the endoscope is controlled remotely when the remote control device or the external terminal is connected to the endoscope via the communication network.

13. An endoscope control system comprising:

an endoscope device which is provided with insertion section for taking an image for an inner section of a sample object for obtaining an endoscope image;

a control section which is connected to the endoscope device via a wireless communication and has a server for performing a network communication so as to transmit and receive the endoscope image by an electric signal or an optical signal and control a driving operation for the endoscope device;

a communication network structure which is connectable to the control section; and

at least an external terminal which has a function for operating the endoscope device while observing the endoscope image via the communication network, wherein the endoscope device is controlled remotely by the external terminal when the external terminal and the control section are connected by the communication network.