JP5891095B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that captures an image of a subject such as an inner wall of an organ, and more particularly to version upgrade / update of a program related to the operation of the endoscope apparatus.

  In the endoscope apparatus, a video scope and a processor operate according to a control program, and programmable logic circuits are used for an image sensor driving circuit, an image signal processing circuit, and the like. When the function of the endoscope apparatus is changed or when the connection environment with a new peripheral device is changed, software, firmware, FPGA, etc. are upgraded.

  For example, by connecting a personal computer or the like to the endoscope processor and transferring a version-up program, the operation program stored in the ROM in the processor is updated (see Patent Document 1). Alternatively, it is also possible to insert a PC card into the processor and upgrade the firmware when the processor is activated (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-245681 A JP 2005-185691 A

  The video scope and processor of an endoscopic device have multiple devices / signal processing circuits that can be upgraded / updated by a program, and adopt a configuration that insulates the patient circuit from the secondary circuit. A plurality of substrates are installed.

  When there are a large number of devices that can be upgraded on each of the plurality of substrates, it is necessary to perform the upgrade operation for each device. This involves complicated work. In addition, there is a possibility that a device that is not a target is erroneously rewritten by an inappropriate program.

  Therefore, it is required to efficiently and surely perform a version-up operation on the device in the endoscope apparatus.

  An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is a program in which an endoscope apparatus including a plurality of devices that can be upgraded by a program is hierarchically defined as a plurality of device version-up programs that respectively upgrade the plurality of devices. A plurality of program groups, each of which is a combination of a version upgrade target device and a version information uniquely determined, and is a program group that enables operation of the entire endoscope apparatus, and is at least one device The selecting means for selecting a specific program group to upgrade the version of the program, and the program executing means for collectively upgrading a plurality of devices to be upgraded by the selected program group.

  In order to select a suitable folder efficiently, for example, the selection means detects the type and version information of each of the plurality of devices and confirms whether the specified program group corresponds to the detected device type and version information. It is possible to function as.

  Further, since the video scope to be connected cannot be predicted, the video scope can be made to function as the selecting means so as to select a specific program group adapted to the type of scope connected to the processor of the endoscope apparatus.

  In order not to mistakenly exclude non-target devices from version upgrades, it is preferable that a plurality of program groups are each configured by a folder having a directory structure, and a unique folder name is defined for each folder.

  The method of the present invention is an operating method of an endoscope apparatus provided with a plurality of devices that can be upgraded by a program, wherein the selection means includes a plurality of device version-up programs for respectively upgrading the plurality of devices. A program group that is defined hierarchically, and is a program group that enables operation of the entire endoscope apparatus from among a plurality of program groups in which a combination of version upgrade target device and version information is uniquely determined. A specific program group for upgrading at least one device is selected, and the program execution means collectively upgrades a plurality of devices to be upgraded by the selected program group. .

  An endoscope version-up apparatus according to the present invention is a program group in which a plurality of device version-up programs that respectively version up a plurality of devices that can be version-up by a program are defined hierarchically, Select a specific program group that enables the operation of the entire endoscope apparatus and upgrades at least one device from among a plurality of program groups whose combination of version information is uniquely determined. And a program execution means for collectively upgrading a plurality of devices to be upgraded by the selected program group.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a device to be upgraded can be automatically updated without error in accordance with the endoscope work environment.

It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus which is this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the folder hierarchy structure of the program for version up. It is the figure which showed the rule of a board | substrate name, device information, and version up information. It is the flowchart which showed the version-up process performed in MPU. It is the figure which showed the subroutine of step S108 of FIG. It is the figure which showed the subroutine of step S111 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to this embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a video scope 10 whose insertion portion is inserted into the body, a processor 20 and a monitor 60, and the video scope 10 is detachably connected to the processor 20. A monitor 60 is connected to the processor 20.

  The processor 20 includes a lamp (not shown) that emits white light, and the light emitted from the lamp enters a light guide (not shown) provided in the video scope 10. The light incident on the light guide exits from the distal end of the scope and is irradiated on the subject (observation site).

  The light reflected from the subject is imaged by an objective lens (not shown) provided at the distal end of the scope, whereby a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12. Here, CMOS, CCD, etc. are applicable as the image sensor 12. On the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12, a complementary color filter (not shown) is arranged in which color filter elements made of Cy, Ye, G, and Mg are arranged in a mosaic pattern.

  In the image sensor 12, an image signal for one field / frame is read at a predetermined time interval (for example, 1/60 second interval) in accordance with a drive signal sent from a CCD drive circuit (not shown). The read pixel signal is amplified in the initial circuit 14 and then sent to the processor 20.

  The pre-processing circuit 22 of the processor 20 performs white balance processing, color conversion processing, and the like on the image signal. As a result, R, G, and B color image signals are generated. The color image signal is sent to the image processing circuit 28 via the isolator 26. The isolator 26 made of a photocoupler insulates the patient circuit I composed of a scope side circuit from the processor side secondary circuit II.

  The image processing circuit 28 performs image signal processing such as edge enhancement processing on the image signal. The image signal subjected to the image signal processing is output to the monitor 60. As a result, the observation image is displayed on the monitor 60.

  A system control circuit 30 provided in the processor 20 includes a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and outputs a control signal to the image processing circuit 28 and the like to control the operation of the entire processor. The signal processing timing of each circuit follows the synchronization signal output from the timing generator 49. The scope controller 16 of the video scope 10 includes a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and outputs a control signal to the initial circuit 14 and controls the operation of the entire scope.

  The light amount control circuit 50 controls opening and closing of a diaphragm (not shown) provided between the light guide and the lamp. Thereby, the brightness of the observation image is maintained at an appropriate brightness. The panel monitor control circuit 34 controls screen display of a touch panel type liquid crystal screen provided on the front panel of the processor 20. The pump control circuit 48 controls a pump (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, a programmable circuit, software, or firmware can be upgraded in a batch in a series of circuits incorporated in the endoscope apparatus. The MPU 52 executes processing for updating / updating a device incorporated in the endoscope apparatus by a program. The USB storage 54 stores a program related to version upgrade. Hereinafter, the batch version up operation will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a folder hierarchical structure of the version upgrade program. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing conventions for board names, device information, and version-up information. The folder structure of the version upgrade program will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the endoscope apparatus, various circuits and elements are incorporated in the video scope 10 and the processor 20, and programmable circuits and elements (hereinafter collectively referred to as devices) are included therein. In the case of the video scope 10, the scope controller 16 and the initial circuit 14 are configured by firmware and FPGA, respectively, and processing contents and operation contents can be changed by a program.

  On the other hand, the processor 20 is provided with a plurality of substrates A to D, and each substrate is provided with a plurality of programmable devices (circuits, elements). The substrate A is provided with an MPU 52 that executes version upgrade, and the processing content follows software. Further, the pre-processing circuit 22 and the image processing circuit 28 provided on the substrate B are configured by FPGA and firmware, respectively.

  The system control circuit 30 and the panel monitor control circuit 34 provided on the substrate C are each configured by FPGA, and the pump control circuit 48, the timing generator 49, and the light quantity control circuit 50 provided on the substrate D are respectively configured by FPGA and firmware. It is configured by firmware. Further, the system control circuit 30 is provided with a logic circuit constituted by firmware.

  Each of the above devices is configured by software, firmware, or FPGA, and a version-up program is transferred to each device according to a predetermined communication method. As shown in FIG. 1, here, the version-up program is transferred according to any one of the SPI communication, the UART communication, and the USB communication method.

  The version up program is read from the USB storage 54 by the MPU 52. The read program is sent directly to the flash memory 18, 24, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46 or firmware via a predetermined communication route. In the case of USB communication, it is sent via the decoder 44. In the case of UART communication, the program is transferred through the switching circuit 32.

  Providing a plurality of substrates in an endoscope apparatus is unavoidable because it adopts a circuit configuration in which a patient circuit I and a secondary circuit II are installed, and various observation target organs, production years, and the like are different. In an apparatus environment in which a video scope is connected to a processor, a device that needs to be upgraded and its timing are greatly affected by the work environment including the video scope and the processor model.

  In particular, depending on the type and circuit characteristics of the connected videoscope, it is necessary to change the device in the processor to a version that can support the scope. The change in the version of the device in the processor depends on the type of videoscope. . Furthermore, a specific circuit may be upgraded in accordance with the destination location of the product, such as selection of the PAL / NTSC system and function restriction.

  Therefore, the version upgrade of each device must be determined individually according to the work environment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a version-up program that combines a device / board type and version information is defined for devices that can be upgraded, and these are grouped into one folder.

  A group of programs grouped by folders is a group of programs that are combined based on a specific work environment, and is specifically combined hierarchically with a processor being used as a center. Therefore, there are as many combinations or folders as there are scope / processor types, device types, board types, and versions.

  Then, by combining the combinations of version upgrade programs under the working environment conditions of the processor main and defining them as folders, a folder group is formed that represents the working environment and the folder in a 1: 1 correspondence relationship. Therefore, each folder becomes a unique (unique) program group with respect to version upgrade.

  Each folder (hereinafter referred to as a main folder) has a file structure in which a board type and a scope type are in a directory structure. Each folder (hereinafter referred to as a subfolder) and its naming (for each board type and scope type) (Folder name or file name) is given below. Here, the boards A to D are represented as 01A, 02B, 03C, 04D, and the scope is represented as 99S.

  Furthermore, since at least one device is mounted on each of the substrates A to D and the scope corresponding to the subfolder, a folder (hereinafter referred to as a lower layer folder) and a name are also given to the device. Here, a folder name is specified in which the type of the programmable device is subscripted starting with the folder name of the board. For example, “0202B-FPGA” and “0201B-Firmware” are assigned to the pre-stage processing circuit 22 and the image processing circuit 28 of the substrate B, respectively.

  Such a folder name follows the folder name convention shown in FIG. The board number and device reference number shown in FIG. 3 are uniquely determined, and the destination (shipping place) and version name (version) are also determined for each board and device. The destination is information for making a circuit configuration compatible with either the NTSC system or the PAL system, and is represented by a symbol such as N: Japan, A: Asia, U: America.

  Each of the uppermost main folders 01, 02,... Is different for at least one version upgrade target device or its version number (version), and there is no folder whose contents match.

  In this way, the hierarchical program group is uniquely defined and the folder name is given, so that the update work for the version upgrade target device can be executed collectively without individually upgrading the device. If the contents of version upgrade differ depending on the scope model, multiple file names are prepared according to the scope type. Further, a plurality of files such as an execution file and a version upgrade program may be associated with the target device.

  Hereinafter, the version-up process will be described with reference to FIGS. A series of folder groups created in advance by the user using a PC or the like is stored in the USB storage 54. Here, processing is started in accordance with an operator operation.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a version up process executed in the MPU. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a subroutine of step S108 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a subroutine of step S111 in FIG.

  In step S101, a specific version-up folder is designated from a series of version-up folders stored in the USB storage 54. At this time, the folder is specified based on the type of the connected video scope. Specifically, a version-up folder having a subfolder and a lower layer folder corresponding to the connected video scope is extracted.

  For example, in order to operate the processor according to the type of video scope (type of image sensor, characteristics of drive circuit, etc.), it is necessary to change the image processing circuit in the processor, etc. It is said. Therefore, a version-up folder that can support the connected videoscope is selected. In step S102, it is determined whether or not the connected video scope is a video scope having a device that can be upgraded (updated).

  If the version can be updated (updated), in step S103, a file name indicating the type of device provided in the connected video scope and version information are confirmed. In steps S104 to S107, the file names and version information of the devices provided on the substrates A to D are detected and confirmed. In step S108, it is determined whether the selected folder is valid. FIG. 5 shows the detailed processing.

  In steps S201 to S213, it is determined whether the file name of each device detected in steps S104 to S107 matches the file name of the device defined in the folder specified in step S101. That is, the characters assigned to the conventions shown in FIG. 3 are compared (model name, destination, board name, device Ref, etc.), and the video endoscope, board, device, and specification of the actual endoscope apparatus are selected. Determine whether the video scope, board, device, and specifications specified in the folder match.

  If there is a mismatch in the file name, it is determined that an inappropriate folder has been identified (S218). On the other hand, if the video scope and the device on each board in the specified folder match the file name of the detected device (YES in all of S203, S205, S207, S209, S211, and S213), the version of each device It is determined whether the numbers (versions) match (S215).

  Next, if the version number of each detected device matches the version number of the device in the specified folder, it is determined that the folder as a whole matches the version (S217). On the other hand, if the version is different for at least one device and the version of the in-folder device is newer than the detected version of the device, it is determined that the version of the entire folder is inconsistent (S216).

  Returning to the main routine shown in FIG. 4, if the specified folder is incorrect, that is, inappropriate for the endoscopic work environment, the process ends without displaying anything on the monitor or the like ( S109, S115). Thereafter, steps S101 to S108 are repeatedly performed according to the operator's operation, whereby folders are sequentially selected from the folder group.

  If the version of the device in the folder matches the version of the detection device, a message to that effect is displayed (S116). On the other hand, if the versions of the folders do not match, that is, if at least one device is to be upgraded, version upgrade processing is performed on the target device (S111).

  FIG. 6 shows a flow of version up processing. By executing steps S301 to S309, the version upgrade process is performed on the target device. Specifically, the program stored in the flash memory connected to the target device erases existing data, writes update data, and verifies the written data, and upgrades the software, firmware, and FPGA. Is done. On the other hand, if there is a problem in the writing process or the like, the version up is regarded as unsuccessful (S310). When the version upgrade is successful, the fact is displayed on the monitor (S113), and when it is unsuccessful, the fact is also displayed (S114).

  It should be noted that everything under the specified folder may be copied. In order to correspond to the destination, the destination processing may be automatically executed after the device version-up processing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to collectively upgrade various devices provided in the endoscope apparatus. Since the version information is combined for each type of video scope, substrate, device type, and characteristics, and the hierarchical folder is uniquely defined, only the target device can be reliably upgraded / updated.

10 video scope 16 scope controller 20 processor 30 system control circuit 52 MPU
I Patient circuit
II Secondary circuit

Claims (7)

Endoscope device with multiple devices that can be upgraded by program,
A program group in which a plurality of device version-up programs for version-up each of the plurality of devices are hierarchically defined, wherein a combination of version-up target devices and version information is uniquely determined. A selection means for selecting a specific program group that allows the operation of the entire endoscope apparatus and upgrades at least one device;
A program that functions as a program execution means for collectively upgrading a plurality of devices to be upgraded by a selected program group.   2. The function of the selection unit so as to detect the type and version information of each of the plurality of devices and confirm whether the specified program group corresponds to the detected device type and version information. The program described in.   3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program functions as the selection unit so as to select a specific program group adapted to a scope model connected to a processor of the endoscope apparatus. 4. .   4. The program according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of program groups is constituted by a folder having a directory structure, and a unique folder name is defined for each folder.   The processor of the endoscope apparatus provided with the memory which stored the program described in Claim 1. An operation method of an endoscope apparatus including a plurality of devices that can be upgraded by a program,
The selection means is a program group in which a plurality of device version-up programs for version-up each of the plurality of devices are hierarchically defined, and a plurality of combinations of version-up target devices and version information are uniquely defined. A program group that enables the operation of the entire endoscope apparatus from among the program group, and that selects at least one device version upgrade,
An operating method of an endoscope apparatus, wherein the program execution means collectively upgrades a plurality of devices to be upgraded by a selected program group. A group of programs that hierarchically define a plurality of device version upgrade programs for upgrading a plurality of devices that can be upgraded by the program, and each combination of version upgrade target device and version information is uniquely defined. A selection means for selecting a specific program group that enables the operation of the entire endoscope apparatus from a plurality of program groups and that upgrades at least one device;
A version upgrade apparatus for an endoscope, comprising: a program execution unit that collectively upgrades a plurality of devices to be upgraded by a selected program group.

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