JP5657437B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope that displays a menu screen for performing a menu operation on a display unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope observes and inspects a wound and corrosion of a test site in a subject by inserting an insertion portion into the test subject such as an aircraft engine or piping. Such an endoscope displays a menu screen for setting various functions on a display unit such as an LCD provided in the main body so that the user can set various functions.

  As such an endoscope, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-121855 discloses a technique that makes it easy for a user to understand various functions through graphic display.

JP 2004-121855 A

  However, in an inspection using an endoscope, in order to inspect various places, a small and light product excellent in portability is required. By reducing the size of the endoscope, there is a limit to the number of buttons, joysticks, and other input means that can be operated by the user, and as a result, it is necessary to assign a plurality of functions to one input means. In this case, depending on the contents of a plurality of functions assigned to the input means, there is a possibility that function settings such as menu settings cannot be reliably executed by an operation not intended by the user.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can reliably execute function setting even when an unintended operation is performed by a user.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an endoscope that selectively displays an endoscopic image and a menu image related to the endoscope system on the display unit, the menu screen displaying a menu related to the endoscope system. A setup menu screen displayed for selecting a setup menu for setting up the endoscope system displayed on the menu screen, and a setup function selected from the setup functions displayed on the setup menu screen. Selects a display control unit that controls the display unit to display a selection screen to be displayed to determine function settings, an endoscopic image displayed on the display unit, and a menu image related to the endoscopic system In addition, set to move from the menu screen to the selection screen via the setup menu screen. A joystick and an endoscope image or a menu screen displayed on the display unit are controlled to be changed to the menu screen or the endoscopic image based on a pressing time of the joystick, and the selection screen is displayed on the display unit. When it is displayed, it controls to execute the setup function displayed and selected on the selection screen by the tilting operation of the joystick, and further returns from the selection screen to the setup menu screen by the tilting operation of the joystick. It is possible to provide an endoscope including a control unit that controls to update the state of the selected function setting .

  According to the endoscope of the present invention, function setting can be reliably executed even when there is an unintended operation by the user.

It is an external appearance block diagram of the endoscope concerning this Embodiment. 2 is a block diagram of an endoscope 1 for explaining a hardware configuration of a main body unit 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of a display process of a menu screen. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of a process of step S3. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the display 11.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1. overall structure

  First, the configuration of the endoscope according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of an endoscope according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 2 that is inserted into a subject such as an aircraft engine or piping, and a main body portion 3 that is connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion 2. .

  The insertion part 2 is comprised by the flexible tube member, and has the front-end | tip part 4 and the bending part 5 from the front end side. An imaging element (not shown) such as a CCD is built in the distal end portion 4, and an imaging optical system 6 such as a lens is disposed on the imaging surface side of the imaging element.

  The main body unit 3 includes a display unit 10 on which an endoscope image, a menu screen, and the like are displayed, an operation unit 20 for performing various operations of the endoscope 1, and a housing unit 30.

  The display unit 10 includes a display 11 such as an LCD and a control base that controls display on the display 11.

  The operation unit 20 includes a first joystick 21 for operating the bending unit 5, a second joystick 22 for operating a cursor and the like displayed on the display unit 10, and a curve operated via the first joystick 21. Mechanism.

  The first joystick 21 can bend the bending portion 5 in a desired direction by tilting in the vertical and horizontal directions. In addition, the first joystick 21 has a function of causing the display 11 to display a menu screen, which will be described later, when pressed.

  The second joystick 22 is an electrical operation mechanism having one end attached to the substrate, and the cursor is moved in the corresponding direction by inputting the tilted direction to the substrate.

  The housing unit 30 is attached to a housing 31 in which the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20 are housed, a reinforcing member 32 attached to a connection portion between the housing 31 and the insertion unit 2, and a proximal end of the insertion unit 2. The holder (self-supporting auxiliary member) 33 is provided.

Image data obtained by imaging is inspection data to be inspected, and is recorded in a storage medium 45 such as a memory card. The storage medium 45 can be attached to and detached from a slot 49 provided in the main body 3. (See FIG. 2).
2. Circuit configuration

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the endoscope 1 for explaining the hardware configuration of the main body 3. The main body 3 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, an interface unit (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F) 44 with the display 11, an I / F 46 with a storage medium 45, and an I / F 47 with the operation unit 20. And are connected to each other via a bus 48. The storage medium 45 is detachably attached to a slot 49 provided in the main body 3.

  An operation signal from the operation unit 20 is input to the I / F 47. The main body 3 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 20.

  The ROM 42 stores a software program (hereinafter simply referred to as a program) for realizing various functions of the endoscope 1, and the CPU 41 executes the program. The CPU 41 operates to perform various functions according to the received operation signal from the operation unit 20.

  When the first joystick 21 and the second joystick provided in the operation unit 20 are operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is input to the CPU 41 via the I / F 47 and detected. The CPU 41 executes various operation control, display control, and the like based on the detected signal.

  For example, as will be described later, when the first joystick 21 is pressed, the CPU 11 executes processing such as displaying a menu screen on the display 11 as a monitor.

  In FIG. 2, constituent elements related to the power source, communication with the outside, and the like other than the screen display control of the display 11 described in the present embodiment are omitted.

  When the user who is an inspector uses the endoscope 1 to inspect, for example, a turbine blade in an aircraft engine to be inspected, the user inserts the insertion unit 2 into the engine by operating the insertion unit 2 by hand. Thus, the examination is performed while viewing the endoscopic image displayed on the display 11.

Next, display processing of the endoscope 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
3. Display processing

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the menu screen display process, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow of step S3, and FIG. 5 is for explaining the screen transition of the display 11. FIG. The processing in FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed by the CPU 41 reading and executing the program stored in the ROM 42.

  Normally, a live endoscope image is displayed on the display 11 as a live screen G1. Here, it is determined whether or not the user has pressed the first joystick 21 (step S1). If it is determined that the first joystick 21 has not been pressed, NO is determined in step S1, and the process returns to step S1 and the same processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first joystick 21 has been pressed, that is, if a display instruction for the menu screen G2 is given, YES is determined in step S1, and the CPU 41 is displayed on the display 11 as indicated by an arrow A1 in FIG. The display is changed from the live screen G1 to the menu screen G2 (step S2).

  In the present embodiment, when the first joystick 21 is pressed for a long time, the CPU 41 changes the live screen G1 to the menu screen G2 and displays it on the display 11. Further, when the first joystick 21 is pressed for a long time while the menu screen G2 is displayed on the display 11, the CPU 41 changes the menu screen G2 to the live screen G1 and displays it on the display 11.

  The menu screen G2 is a graphical user interface (GUI), and includes a menu item display unit 100 that displays a plurality of menu items that are main menus. The menu item display unit 100 includes an icon 101 for displaying a title input screen (not shown) for inputting a title to a moving image file recording a moving image or a still image file recording a still image, and a white balance for adjusting white balance. An icon 102 for displaying the adjustment screen G3 and an icon 103 for displaying a setup menu screen G4 for selecting a setup menu for setting up the system of the endoscope 1 are included.

The user selects one item from the three menu items by tilting the second joystick 22 in the left-right direction on the menu screen G2. The icons selected in the menu screen G2 are displayed in different colors, but the icons may be thickened so that they can be distinguished from other icons.

  When one item is selected from the three menu items by the user on the menu screen G2, the process proceeds to processing of the selected menu item (step S3). These processes of steps S2 and S3 constitute a display control unit.

  For example, when the icon 102 is selected and the first joystick 21 is pressed, in this case, when it is pressed shortly, the CPU 41 changes from the menu screen G2 to the white balance adjustment screen G3 and changes to the display 11 as shown by an arrow A3. indicate. After adjusting the white balance on the white balance adjustment screen G3, the user selects the icon 104 for canceling the adjustment value or the icon 105 for executing the adjustment value. Then, the user cancels or executes the adjustment value by pressing the first joystick 21 for a short time.

  When the first joystick 21 is pressed for a short time, the CPU 41 changes the white balance adjustment screen G3 to the live screen G1 and displays it on the display 11. Further, the CPU 41 treats the first joystick 21 as long as it is pressed on the white balance adjustment screen G3, and performs the same processing as when pressing it shortly.

  When the icon 103 is selected on the menu screen G2 and the first joystick 21 is pressed for a short time, the CPU 41 changes the menu screen G2 to the setup menu screen G4 and displays it on the display 11 as shown by an arrow A4. To do.

  Here, processing when the setup menu screen G4 is selected in step S3 will be described.

  First, a setup menu screen G4 is displayed on the display 11 (step S11).

  The setup menu screen G4 displays, for example, an icon 106 for setting whether or not to add a mark “_a” at the end of the file name of a moving image or still image, and whether or not information such as date and time is to be printed on the still image. An icon 107 for setting the image, an icon 108 for setting whether to record only a still image, or a moving image and a still image of the first frame of the moving image, and the brightness of the LCD backlight. And an icon 109 for setting. The icons 106 to 109 have state display units 106a to 109a that display the set function setting states. For example, the status display portion 106a of the icon 106 is set to ON, and indicates that a mark is added to the end of the file name of a moving image or a still image. When each of these status display units 106a to 109a returns to the setup menu screen G4 after selecting a function setting on the selection screen G5, which will be described later, the state of the function setting selected on the selection screen G5 Update to

Whether the second joystick 2 2 is tilted up and down is determined (Step S12). When it is determined that it is not tilted up and down, NO is determined in step S12, and the process returns to step S11 and the same processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined to be tilted up and down, whether becomes YES in step S12, the second joystick 2 2 is tilted to the right is determined (step S13). If it is determined that it has been tilted to the right, YES is determined in step S13, the process proceeds to step S15, and the selection screen G5 is displayed.

Thus, CPU 41, when the second joystick 2 2 is tilted to the right, as shown by the arrow A5, the selection screen for selecting the selected function set from the setup menu screen G4 in the setup menu screen G4 G5 To display on the display 11.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S13 that it is not tilted to the right, it is determined NO, and it is determined whether or not the first joystick 21 is short-pressed (step S14). If it is determined that the button has been pressed for a short time, YES is determined in step S14, the process proceeds to step S15, and the selection screen G5 is displayed.

  As described above, when the first joystick 21 is pressed for a short time, the CPU 41 changes the setup menu screen G4 to the selection screen G5 and displays it on the display 11 as indicated by an arrow A5.

  The selection screen G5 in FIG. 5 is a screen that is displayed when the icon 108 is selected, and includes an icon 110 for recording a still image (first frame of a moving image) and a moving image, and an icon for recording only a still image. 111 and an icon 112 for returning to the setup menu screen G4.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the button is not pressed shortly, NO is determined and it is determined whether or not the first joystick 21 is pressed long (step S16). If it is determined that the button has been pressed for a long time, YES is determined in step S16, the process proceeds to step S22, and the menu screen G2 is closed.

  As described above, when the first joystick 21 is pressed for a long time, the CPU 41 closes the menu screen G2 as shown by an arrow A6, and displays the live screen G1 on the display 11 here.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the button has not been pressed for a long time, the determination is NO, the process returns to step S11, and the same processing is repeated.

Next, processing when the selection screen G5 is displayed in step S15 will be described. In step S15, when the selection screen is displayed G5, whether the second joystick 2 2 is tilted up and down is determined (Step S17). When it is determined that it is not tilted up and down, NO is determined in step S17, the process returns to step S15, and the same processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has tilted up or down, YES is determined in step S17, and the selected item (function setting) is set (step S18). The processing in step S18 constitutes a function setting determination unit.

The second joystick 2 2 whether it is tilted to the left is determined (step S19). If it is tilted to the left, it becomes YES in step S19, returns to step S11, displays the setup menu screen G4, and repeats the same processing. The process of step S19 constitutes the second input means.

Thus, CPU 41, when the second joystick 2 2 is tilted to the left, as indicated by the arrow A7, and displays the change from the selection screen G5 to the setup menu screen G4 to display 11. When the user selects the icon 112, the CPU 41 changes the selection screen G5 to the setup menu screen G4 and displays it on the display 11 as indicated by an arrow A7.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the first joystick 21 has been pressed for a short time (step S20). If it is determined that the button has been pressed for a short time, YES is determined in step S20, the process proceeds to step S22, and the menu screen G2 is closed.

  Thus, when the first joystick 21 is pressed for a short time, the CPU 41 changes the selection screen G5 to the live screen G1 and displays it on the display 11 as indicated by an arrow A8. The short pressing process of the first joystick 21 is a process of executing the function selected on the selection screen G5.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the button is not pressed shortly, NO is determined, and it is determined whether or not the first joystick 21 is pressed long (step S21). If it is determined that the button has not been pressed for a long time, NO is determined in step S21, the process returns to step S15, and the same processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the button has been pressed for a long time, YES is determined in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22, and the menu screen G2 is closed. These steps S20 and S21 constitute the first input means.

  As described above, when the first joystick 21 is pressed for a long time, the CPU 41 changes the selection screen G5 to the live screen G1 and displays it on the display 11 as indicated by an arrow A7. The long pressing process of the first joystick 21 is a process of ending the selection screen G5, here, a process of returning to the live screen G1.

  Finally, in step S22, when the menu screen G2 is closed, the process is terminated.

  As described above, the first joystick 21 is assigned a plurality of functions according to the pressing time on the selection screen G5. Specifically, the first joystick 21 has a function for determining the function setting of the icon selected when pressed shortly on the selection screen G5 and a function for ending the menu operation when pressed long. Assigned.

User is tilted a second joystick 2 2 up and down in the selection screen G5, selects the function setting. Here, it is necessary for the user to short-press the first joystick 21 in order to determine the function setting. However, if the user presses the long-term accidentally to end the menu operation, the selected function setting is not effective conventionally. It was.

The endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, is inclined a second joystick 2 2 up and down in the selection screen G5, by selecting the function setting, and it is set the function settings that are selected. Therefore, even if the user unintentionally presses the first joystick 21 for a long time, the selected function setting can be validated.

  Therefore, according to the endoscope of the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably execute the function setting even when there is an unintended operation by the user.

  Note that the steps in the flowchart in this specification may be executed in a different order for each execution by changing the execution order and executing a plurality of steps at the same time as long as it does not contradict its nature.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Insertion part, 3 ... Main-body part, 4 ... Tip part, 5 ... Curve part, 6 ... Imaging optical system, 10 ... Display part, 11 ... Display, 20 ... Operation part, 21 ... 1st Joystick, 22 ... second joystick, 30 ... casing, 31 ... housing, 32 ... reinforcing member, 33 ... holder, 41 ... CPU, 42 ... ROM, 43 ... RAM, 44 ... I / F, 45 ... storage medium 46, 47 ... I / F, 48 ... bus, 49 ... slot, 100 ... menu item display section, 101-112 ... icon, 106a-109a ... status display section.

Claims (3)

An endoscope that selectively displays an endoscope image and a menu image related to an endoscope system on a display unit,
A menu screen for displaying a menu related to the endoscope system, a setup menu screen for selecting a setup menu for setting up the endoscope system displayed on the menu screen, and the setup menu screen A display control unit for controlling the display unit to display a selection screen to be displayed for determining the function setting of the setup selected from the displayed setup functions;
A joystick for selecting an endoscopic image displayed on the display unit and a menu image related to the endoscopic system, and setting a transition from the menu screen to a selection screen via a setup menu screen;
Based on the pressing time of the joystick, the endoscope image or menu screen displayed on the display unit is controlled to be changed to the menu screen or the endoscope image, and the selection screen is displayed on the display unit. Control to execute the setup function displayed and selected on the selection screen by the tilting operation of the joystick, and return to the setup menu screen from the selection screen by the tilting operation of the joystick. A control unit that controls to update the state of the function setting;
An endoscope characterized by comprising: The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so as to execute a setup function displayed on the selection screen and selected by an upward / downward tilting operation of the joystick . The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the screen display to return from the selection screen to the setup menu screen by a tilting operation other than up and down of the joystick .

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