JP3621766B2 - Electronic endoscope apparatus having zoom function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the contents of electronic zoom control of an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of enlarging and displaying an image in a subject.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The electronic endoscope apparatus has, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) as an image pickup device, and performs image processing on an image signal (video signal) obtained by the CCD, whereby an image in the observed body is displayed on the monitor. Can be displayed. In recent years, this type of electronic endoscope apparatus has an electronic zoom function, and an image obtained by the CCD is electrically enlarged and displayed on a monitor.
[0003]
FIG. 4 shows an image obtained by the above-described apparatus. FIG. 4A is a normal image, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged image that is 1.5 times larger. In an electronic endoscope as a scope, a zoom switch (push button) is disposed on an operation unit or the like, and a normal (1 ×) image P1 is displayed on the monitor 1 in FIG. When the zoom switch is pressed once, it is converted into an enlarged image P2 of 1.5 times that is a fixed magnification, as shown in FIG. Further, when the zoom switch is further pressed in the display state of the enlarged image P2 in FIG. (B), the normal image P1 in FIG. (A) is restored. Therefore, each time the zoom switch is pressed, The normal image P1 and the enlarged image P2 can be selected alternately.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with the zoom function of the conventional electronic endoscope apparatus, there are still few variations in the enlargement ratio, and the zoom function cannot be sufficiently exhibited. Therefore, the applicant of the present application is to apply to the endoscope a zoom function in which the magnification is continuously changed, as employed in a VTR camera or the like. However, the switching method to the fixed magnification described above also has an advantage that a predetermined magnified image can be observed immediately, and has high utility value in observation with an endoscope, and it is not preferable to completely cut off this method. .
[0005]
Therefore, it is preferable to provide both types of zoom modes. However, if the operation for selecting these modes and the structure therefor become complicated at that time, there arises a problem that the various modes provided at the corners cannot be used effectively.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a zoom mode that continuously changes in addition to the conventional zoom function, to increase the variation of the enlargement ratio, and to select these modes. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus having a zoom function that can be easily operated with a simple configuration.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, an electronic endoscope apparatus having a zoom function according to the present invention includes an electronic zoom circuit for electrically enlarging and displaying an image, and a fixed magnification switching for switching a plurality of fixed zoom magnifications. First magnification control means for controlling the electronic zoom circuit so as to be in a mode, and second magnification control means for controlling the electronic zoom circuit so as to be in a continuously variable mode for continuously changing the zoom magnification. And one operation means for performing the operation of the fixed magnification switching mode and the operation of the continuously variable mode, and when the operation means is operated for a predetermined short time, the first magnification control means When zoom control is executed in the fixed magnification switching mode and the operation means determines that it has been operated for a time longer than the predetermined short time, or is operated twice within the predetermined time. When it is judged to have been characterized by comprising a control circuit for executing the zoom control in the continuously variable mode by said second magnification control means.
[0008]
According to the configuration of the action <br/> above, a zoom switch (push button) is provided as one of the operating means, this zoom switch, the control of both the fixed magnification switching mode and continuously variable mode is executed. For example, by pressing the zoom switch in a short time, the switching operation of the fixed magnification switching mode is performed, and the operation is continued from the fixed magnification mode by continuing the pressing operation for a predetermined time or twice in the predetermined time. Control can be made to shift to the continuously variable mode.
[0009]
In this way, since the continuously variable mode is added to the conventional fixed magnification switching mode, the enlargement variation increases. In addition, since the operation of both modes is distinguished by changing the operation of the zoom switch, the zoom control of the above two types of modes can be performed with a simple configuration, and the operation of the zoom function is also easy. There is.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus having a zoom function according to the embodiment. In the figure, an electronic endoscope 10 as a scope is connected to a processor apparatus 12 via a connector unit 11. Although not shown, a light source device or the like is disposed. In the electronic endoscope 10, a CCD 14 serving as an image pickup device is disposed at a tip portion thereof, and a zoom switch (push button switch) 15, a freeze switch, and the like are provided in an operation unit.
[0011]
In the connector section 11, a CCD driving circuit 16 for reading out a video signal obtained by the CCD 14, an A / D converter 17 for inputting the video signal read out from the CCD 14, a predetermined image such as amplification and clamping processing. A signal processing circuit 18 for performing processing is arranged. Further, in the processor device 12, a zoom processing circuit 20 for enlarging an image so as to have a set magnification, a memory 21 for recording a video signal, a D / A converter 22, and overall control of the entire circuit. And a CPU (first magnification control means and second magnification control means) 23 for performing zoom control based on the operation of the zoom switch 15 is provided.
[0012]
The CPU 23 determines whether the operation of the zoom switch 15 is a fixed magnification switching mode or a continuously variable mode, and executes control of the corresponding mode. In the initial state of the embodiment, for example, the fixed magnification switching mode is set to 1 time (no enlargement), and the zoom switch 15 is normally pressed once to be changed to 1.5 times. It will return to 1 time by pushing. Further, when the zoom switch 15 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 second or 1 second), the mode is changed to the continuously variable mode, and the magnification is changed from 1 to 4 according to the pressing operation time after the continuous variable mode is set. It changes continuously up to twice, and conversely from 4 times to 1 time.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows data of a calculation coefficient table relating to a magnification provided in a ROM (Read-Only Memory) or the like in the zoom processing circuit 20, and in this example, as shown in FIG. For each magnification up to double, data such as a vertical (V) direction coefficient, a horizontal (H) direction coefficient, and a center position are stored. Therefore, the zoom processing circuit 20 performs electronic zoom processing on the input video signal by reading out the data of the magnification selected based on the operation of the zoom switch 15 from the ROM. The zoom processing circuit 20 also performs other various image processing simultaneously.
[0014]
The embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the control operation of the CPU 23. First, in step 101, it is determined whether or not the zoom switch 15 has been pressed for 0.5 seconds or more, and the process proceeds to step 102 when N (NO). That is, when the pressing operation is performed for less than 0.5 seconds, the operation in the fixed magnification switching mode is performed. In this step 102, it is determined whether or not the current set magnification is other than 1. When N, 1 is set at step 103 (no enlargement), and when Y (YES), 1 is set at step 104. .5 times is set.
[0015]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step 101 that the zoom switch 15 has been pressed for 0.5 seconds or longer (Y), the process proceeds to step 105, which is the continuously variable mode, and the next magnification data in the calculation coefficient table is read and zoomed. Process. In step 106, it is determined whether or not the zoom switch 15 is kept pressed. When the result is Y, the process returns to the previous step 105. That is, in the continuously variable mode, first, the next magnification data in the direction in which the magnification increases from the current set magnification is read from the ROM. For example, when the current magnification is 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the next 1.1 times vertical direction coefficient V11, horizontal direction coefficient H11, center position CO 2, etc. are read out, and these data are read out. Based on the above, the zoom processing circuit 20 performs video signal enlargement processing (electronic zoom processing).
[0016]
The video signal enlarged by the zoom processing circuit 20 is stored in the memory 21, and then read out again and supplied to the monitor. The enlarged image P2 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the monitor. Is done. In general, in an electronic endoscope apparatus, a still image can be obtained by a freeze switch. However, in this example as well, an enlarged image of a still image can be formed by using image data in the memory 21.
[0017]
Here, when the zoom switch 15 is further pressed after the magnification reaches four times, a magnification that decreases from four times to one time is set (other control is also possible). In addition, when the zoom switch 15 is pressed for 0.5 seconds or less after the operation of the continuous variable mode is completed, the current setting magnification is returned to 1 (or 1.5). Then, the continuous variable mode is switched to the fixed magnification switching mode.
[0018]
In the fixed magnification switching mode of the above embodiment, two fixed magnifications of 1 × and 1.5 × are provided, but this fixed magnification may be a combination of other magnifications and may be three or more magnifications. Also, the continuously variable mode may be set to a magnification other than four times. Further, in the above example, the mode is shifted to the continuously variable mode by keeping the button pressed for a predetermined time or longer. However, other than this, for example, the mode is shifted to the continuously variable mode by performing the pressing operation twice within the predetermined time. Also good.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the first magnification control means for controlling the fixed magnification switching mode for switching a plurality of fixed zoom magnifications and the continuously variable mode for continuously changing the zoom magnification are performed. A second magnification control means, and one operation means for performing the operation in the fixed magnification switching mode and the continuous variable mode, and determining that the operation means has been operated by the control circuit for a predetermined short time. When the zoom control in the fixed magnification switching mode is executed and it is determined that the operation means has been operated for a time longer than the predetermined short time or has been operated twice within the predetermined time, since so as to perform a zoom control in the continuously variable mode, the number variations of magnification, it is possible to obtain an easy image to observe a particular region, etc. That.
[0020]
In addition, since the selection operation of these modes can be performed by one operation means, there are advantages that an electronic zoom function with many variations can be realized with a simple configuration and the operation is easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus having a zoom function according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing magnification data used in the zoom processing circuit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the CPU according to the embodiment.
4A and 4B are monitor display screens showing a zoom function in a conventional electronic endoscope apparatus. FIG. 4A is a 1 × display state, and FIG. 4B is a 1.5 × enlarged display state.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... monitor,
10 ... Electronic endoscope,
14 ... CCD,
15 ... zoom switch,
16 ... CCD drive circuit,
20 ... zoom processing circuit,
21 ... memory,
23 ... CPU.

Claims (1)

An electronic zoom circuit for electrically enlarging and displaying an image;
First magnification control means for controlling the electronic zoom circuit so as to be in a fixed magnification switching mode for switching a plurality of fixed zoom magnifications;
Second magnification control means for controlling the electronic zoom circuit so as to be in a continuously variable mode in which the zoom magnification is continuously changed;
One operation means for performing the operation of the fixed magnification switching mode and the operation of the continuously variable mode;
When it is determined that the operation means has been operated for a predetermined short time, zoom control in the fixed magnification switching mode is executed by the first magnification control means, and the operation means is operated for a time longer than the predetermined short time. And a control circuit that performs zoom control in the continuously variable mode by the second magnification control means when it is determined that the operation has been performed twice or within a predetermined time. Electronic endoscope device.

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