JPH0767164B2 - Endoscope electronic camera device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial application] The present invention relates to an electronic camera used in combination with an endoscope.
The present invention relates to a device that informs the operator of a camera of how much shooting is possible in the current state.

[Prior Art] When a magnetic disk, for example, is used as a recording medium of an electronic camera, usually 100 to 200 still images can be recorded per one disk. Since the recording capacity is large as described above, it is possible to store images of tens of patients affected by a patient on one disk.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Now, using a magnetic disk having 100 recording tracks,
Consider the case where three endoscopic photographs are taken per patient. In this case, up to the 33rd patient can be smoothly imaged, but if he forgets to change the disk and gets into the 34th image of the patient, he will record a track at the end of the imaging of one affected area. It will be used up. In such a case, it is necessary to interrupt the imaging, replace the disk, find the affected area to be imaged again, and restart the imaging. However, it is extremely unpleasant for a patient who has an endoscope inserted in the body that the imaging time is long due to such a disk replacement work.
This kind of interruption of shooting must be avoided as much as possible.

As a means for preventing such an interruption, it is conceivable to provide a magnetic disk device with a display portion for recorded tracks. However, due to circumstances peculiar to photography using a fiberscope such as an endoscope, even if a track display section is provided on the magnetic disk device side, the operator of the camera cannot often see the track display value. Many.
The reason will be described below.

When taking a picture with an endoscope camera, if the affected area of the subject is in a delicate position due to the operation of the endoscope, the operator removes his / her eye from the viewfinder of the camera and the objective of the observation optical system at the tip of the endoscope is observed. The direction of the lens may deviate from the affected area. When this happens, the patient is likely to suffer unnecessary pain until the affected area is captured again in the Bieuf Einda. Therefore, the operator who is photographing must always concentrate his or her nerve on the affected area.
For this reason, even if the track display section is provided on the magnetic disk device side, the operator often cannot afford to look at the track display section away from the view finder.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope electronic camera device capable of informing an operator who is operating the camera of how much imaging is possible in the current state. And

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The present invention relates to an endoscope electronic camera device, including an electronic camera with a viewfinder used in combination with an endoscope, and a recording device for recording the video output of the electronic camera on a recording medium having a plurality of recording tracks. Switching means for selectively switching between a first mode in which recording is performed only on an unrecorded track of the recording medium and a second mode in which rewriting is possible on a recorded track, and a recording medium set in the recording device. Detection means for detecting track data corresponding to the number of unrecorded tracks, display means for displaying the track data in the viewfinder of the electronic camera, and the track data for comparing the track data with predetermined timing determination data. Is below the timing determination data, a comparing means for outputting an output, and an alarm for receiving the output from the comparing means. Is obtained and a warning means for performing display.

[Action]

According to the endoscope electronic camera having the above-mentioned configuration, the track data of the recording medium currently in use is displayed in the viewfinder, so how many pictures can be taken with this recording medium by looking at this display I understand. Furthermore, even if the operator (doctor) operating this device is not reading the track data in the viewfinder because the nerve is concentrated on observing the affected area, if the number of remaining tracks becomes equal to or less than the predetermined timing determination data, For example, a buzzer warns. Therefore, the warning is given at the predetermined timing, and the replacement of the recording medium can be prompted at the set alarm timing. Further, even when there is no new disc to be replaced at the time when the warning is issued, it is possible to further take a picture by using the rewriting to the recorded track together.

〔Example〕

 Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a recording track display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. An electronic camera head 20 is attached to the endoscope 10. The camera head 20 includes a CCD image sensor 22 as a photographing element, a photographing release switch 24, a track display 26 provided in the visual field in the viewfinder, and a piezoelectric buzzer 28 for alarm. The output signal E22 of the CCD 22 is converted into a video signal E30 via a camera control unit (CCU) 30 including a video processor. This video signal E30 is a multitrack recording / reproducing (R
/ P) device 40 and is provided to a recording / reproducing (R / P) circuit 42. Upon receiving the release signal E24 from the release switch 24, the R / P circuit 42 applies a recording current corresponding to the video signal E30 to the recording / reproducing head (R / PH) 44, and the erasing head (EH) 4
It gives an erase current to 6.

Here, as the R / P device 40, a 100-track magnetic disk device is used. One track is assigned to the magnetic disk 50 of the apparatus 40 per one rotation, and one still image is recorded in one track. R / PH44 and EH
The reference numeral 46 shifts one track at a time along the radial direction of the disk 50 by a stepping motor or the like. This track shift is performed by the head shift control circuit 48. That is, the track shift command E42 is issued from the R / P circuit 42 every time one shooting is completed. When the control circuit 48 receives this instruction E42, the R / PH44
And EH46 are shifted by one track, and a track shift pulse E4 is generated every time this one track shift is performed.
Outputs 8. This pulse E48 is sent to the down counter 60,
Given as count input.

The counter 60 is preset with the data N = 100 by the initialization pulse E49 generated from the initialization switch 49 when the disk 50 is set in the R / P device 40. This data N is stored in the preset data memory 62.
Derived from. The value of the data N is predetermined according to the disk capacity (the number of tracks). For example, if a 50-track disk 50 is used, N =
50. The initialization pulse E49 is also given to the head shift control circuit 48. When the pulse E49 is applied, the control circuit 48 causes the R / PH 44 and EH 46 to return to the position of the first track.

The count output Nx of the counter 60 is given to the display 26. The display 26 displays the track number "100" in the viewfinder of the camera head 20. This is 100
This indicates that still photography of one image is possible. Furthermore, this “10
Digital data Nx corresponding to 0 "is the charactor generator 70
Given to. The data input device 72 provides the generator 70 with data such as date, patient code name, and the like. The generator 70 gives a character signal E70 indicating the track number "100" to the CCU 30 together with data such as date. As a result,
The video signal E30 is, in addition to the image of the affected area (not shown),
It is a signal containing character data such as the number of tracks and date. Either the video signal E30 or the reproduced video signal E42P output from the R / P circuit 42 is supplied to the monitor TV 76 via the recording / reproduction monitor switching switch 74. Then, on the screen of the monitor TV76, in addition to the image of the affected part, the code number of the patient, the examination date, and other data, and the number of tracks "100" indicating how many more images can be taken are displayed.

The count output Nx is also input to the digital comparator 64. The comparison data Nr for determining the alarm timing is given to the comparator 64. When Nx> Nr, the comparator 64 does not output. When it becomes NxNr, the comparator 64 gives the alarm start signal E64 to the alarm circuit 66. Now, assuming Nr = 5, if only up to 94 images are taken, Nx = 100−94 =
Since 6> 5, the signal E64 is not output. When the 95th shot is taken and Nx = 5, a signal E64 is generated, and the alarm circuit 66 generates an intermittent alarm signal E66 of 1 kHz, for example.
Is given to the buzzer 28. The buzzer 28 then beeps to inform the operator of the camera that there are only four more tracks remaining. This alarm sound is always emitted during Nx = 5-1.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the alarm is sounded.
This may be another means. For example, the display on the display 26 may be blinked, or the display color may be changed from blue to red. Further, alarm means such as a buzzer may be provided on the monitor TV 76 side.

As a method of displaying the residual track on the display 26 and the monitor TV 76 in the viewfinder, a bar graph-like bright spot may be used in addition to the digital numeral display. That is, 100 segments arranged in a line may be prepared, and this segment may be erased one by one each time one image is taken.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. According to the apparatus of FIG. 2, when there is an unrecorded track in a part of the disk 50, the number of remaining tracks can be displayed only for this unrecorded track. It should be noted that common or similar reference numerals are used for parts functionally common or similar to those in FIG. 1 to avoid redundant description.

When the disk 50 is set in the R / P device 40, the OR gate 80
The initialize pulse E49 is input to. Then OR
The output pulse E80 of the gate 80 instructs the head shift control circuit 48 to perform head return. R / PH44 and EH
When 46 returns to the first track position, the control circuit 48 outputs a return completion pulse E48R. This pulse E48R is
It is given to the preset input terminal of the down counter 84. Then, the preset data "100" stored in the preset data memory 86 is preset in the counter 84.

The pulse E48R sets RS flip-flop (FF) 88 at the same time as this preset. Then, the gate signal E88 of logic "1" is sent from the Q output of FF88 to the AND gate 90. The output pulse E of the pulse generator 92 is applied to the AND gate 90.
92 is given. This pulse E92 is the gate signal E88.
While being applied to the AND gate 90, it passes through the AND gate 90 and becomes the write clock E90. This clock E90 consists of a counter 84, a 100-bit shift register 94 and a delay circuit 96.
Given to. The delay output E96 of the delay circuit 96 is an OR gate 98.
And the output E98 of the OR gate 98 is input to the head shift control circuit 48.

The first track reproducing operation of the R / P device 40 is started immediately after the return completion pulse E48R is issued. The reproduced video signal E42P of the first track is supplied to the sync signal detection circuit 100. The detection circuit 100 outputs a detection signal E100 of logic "0" when the video signal E42P includes a synchronization signal and logic "1" when the synchronization signal is not included. That is, if the first track has been recorded, the detection circuit 100
Shifts the detection signal E100 of logic "0" to the shift register 94
Data input terminal and the count input terminal of the up counter 62A. E100 = "0" of the first track is written in the 100th bit of the shift register 94 with the first pulse of the write clock E90. With the first clock E90, the contents of the counter 84 are changed from "100" to "9".
Reduced to 9 ".

Immediately after the completion of writing to the first bit of the shift register 94, a delay output E96 corresponding to the first clock E90 is generated, and this output E96 is connected to the reproduction track shift command pulse E98 via the OR gate 98. Head shift control circuit 4
Given to 8. Then, the R / PH 44 and EH 46 shift to the second track, and the reproduction of the second track is performed. If the second track is in an unrecorded state, the reproduced video signal E42P does not include a synchronization signal, and the detection circuit 100 indicates that
The detection signal E100 of logic "1" is output. This E100 ＝
"1" increases the content N of the counter 62A from "0" to "1".

The detection signal E100 = "1" of the second track is written in the 100th bit of the shift register 94 by the second clock E90. E100 written in the 100th bit =
The data of "0" is shifted to the 99th bit. The second clock E90 is down counted in the counter 84. Therefore, the contents of the counter 84 are "99" to "98".
Decrease to.

The above operation is repeated 100 times to complete the playback scan operation. Now, it is assumed that the second, seventh and eleventh to twentieth tracks of the disk 50 have not been recorded and all the other tracks have been recorded. Then the counter 62A
The content N of the same is "12", which is the same as the number of unrecorded tracks, and the contents of the second, seventh and eleventh to twentieth bits of the shift register 94 are "1". At this time, the counter 84 counts down 100 times, so the count output
E84 is set to “0”. This E84 = "0" is the zero sensor
Detected by 87. Then, the zero sensor 87 outputs the reproduction scan completion pulse E87. This pulse E87 is FF88
Reset. Then, the AND gate 90 closes,
The write clock E90 disappears.

The reproduction scan completion pulse E87 is supplied to the head shift control circuit 48 via the OR gate 80. Then, R / PH44 and EH46 that had been shifted to the 100th track position.
Returns to the position of the first track. At the second and subsequent head returns, the return completion pulse E48R does not come out. The pulse E87 is given to the up / down counter 60A. Then, the count value N = "12" of the counter 62A is preset in the counter 60A. The pulse E87 is further applied to the clear input terminal of the counter 62A via the delay circuit 102. By doing so, the contents of the counter 62A are cleared after the presetting of the data N to the counter 60 is completed.

By the above operation, the number "12" of unrecorded tracks of the used magnetic disk 50 is stored in the counter 60A, and the position (address) of the unrecorded track is stored in the specific bit in the shift register 94. Such a used disk
Image recording to the 50 is performed as follows.

Now, it is assumed that the rerecording selection switches 104A and 104B of two circuits and two contacts are switched to the contact a side.

The release signal E24 output from the release switch 24 of FIG. 1 is differentiated by a differentiating circuit 106 and converted into a release pulse E106 having a sharp rising edge. This pulse E106 is transmitted via the contact a of the switch 104A to the RS flip-flop (F
F) Set 108. Then, the gate signal E108 of logic "1" is given from the Q output of FF108 to the AND gate 110. The AND gate 110 outputs the output pulse E11 of the pulse generator 112.
2 is given. This pulse E112 is the gate signal E10.
While 8 is given, it passes through the AND gate 110 and becomes the read clock E110. This clock E110 is OR gate 11
Input to shift register 94 via 6 and OR
It is applied to the head shift control circuit 48 via the gate 98.

Given the first clock E110, the shift register
Data "0" indicating that the first track has been recorded is output from the first bit of 94 as the data output E94. This output E94 is given to the R / P circuit 42 via the contact a of the switch 104B and the OR gate 114. But E9
4 = “0”, so no recording is done. Then, the first clock E110 is applied to the head shift control circuit 48 as the reproduction track command pulse E98, and the head shift to the second track is performed. Data output E94 is FF1
Although it is given to the reset input terminal of 08, FF108 is not reset because E94 = "0". For this reason, continue to E
108 = "1" is maintained.

When the second clock E110 occurs, the second bit of the shift register 94 outputs E94 = "1" indicating that the second track is unrecorded. This E94 = "1" means FF10
8 is reset and the generation of clock E110 is stopped.
The data output E94 = "1" is the contact a and O of the switch 104B.
It is supplied to the R / P circuit 42 via the R gate 114. Then, the affected part image is recorded on the second track of the disk 50. That is, after the release switch 24 is pressed, a head shift for one track is performed and then recording is performed. A time lag corresponding to a head shift of one track occurs after the release switch 24 is pressed until this recording is performed. This time lag can be made long or short by adjusting the oscillation frequency of the generator 112. . After this recording, the R / P circuit 42 to the control circuit 4
The track shift command E42 is sent to 8. Then, the head shift to the third track is performed, and the track shift pulse E48 is sent from the control circuit 48 to the counter 60A. Then, the content of the counter 60A is decreased from "12" to "11", and it is displayed in the view finder of the camera that the number of remaining tracks usable for shooting is "11".

Then, when the release switch 24 is pressed again, the same operation as described above is performed. That is, the shift register 94
Since the contents of the 3rd to 6th bits of "0",
Fifty third to sixth tracks are skipped without being recorded. Then, at the 7th track, the shift register 94
Recording is performed according to the content "1" of the seventh bit of. Then, the content of the counter 60A decreases from "11" to "10". Such a jump speed can be freely changed by changing the oscillation frequency of the pulse generator 112 using a foot switch or the like.

Since the eighth track has been recorded, the data output E94 = “0”, and therefore the above-described operation cannot record in the eighth track. If recording on the eighth track is desired, the switch 104A may be switched to the b side. When the release switch 24 is pressed in this state, the release pulse E106 is given to the R / P circuit 42 via the OR gate 114, to the shift register 94 via the OR gate 116, and the release pulse of the AND gate 118. It is supplied to the up count input terminal of the counter 60A via the inverting input terminal. AND gate
E94 = “0” derived from the contact b of the switch 104B is applied to the inverting input terminal of 118. Then, re-recording is performed on the recorded eighth track, and the shift register 94
Performs 1-bit shift, and the content of counter 60A is "10"
It increases from "11" for a moment. However, due to the track shift pulse E48 after the 8th track recording is completed, the counter 6
The content of 0A returns to "10" immediately. In other words, when re-recording is performed on the already recorded track, the counter 60A
The content of does not change. Since the contents of the counter 60A originally indicate the number of unrecorded tracks, the contents of the counter should not be changed by re-recording.

If the release switch 24 is pressed with the unrecorded track, for example, the 11th track, while the switch 104A is switched to the b side, recording is performed on the 11th track. At this time, if
Without the AND gate 118, the content of the counter 60A does not change even though the number of remaining tracks has decreased by one. However, if it is an unrecorded track at that time, the output E94 of the shift register 94 is "1". This E94
AND is to use “1” to prohibit upcounting
It is gate 118. That is, when the switch 104B interlocking with the switch 104A is on the contact a side, the AND gate 118
Is always open. However, when the switch 104B is on the contact b side, the AND gate 118 is closed only when E94 = "1", and the up count of the counter 60A is prohibited. Therefore, if the unrecorded track of the disk 50 is recorded with the switches 104A and 104B switched to the b side, the content of the counter 60A decreases corresponding to the number of the remaining tracks.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the endoscope electronic camera of the present invention, the operator of the camera knows how many more shots can be taken without even looking away from the viewfinder of the camera. be able to. Furthermore, a comparison means is provided for comparing the remaining track data with the timing determination data, and a warning is displayed according to the output of this comparison means, so that the doctor concentrates his attention on the observation of the affected area. Even if the track data of is not read, it is possible to prompt the exchange of the recording medium. And
Since the timing for urging the exchange of the medium is changed by changing the timing determination data, if this timing determination data is set as the number of photos for each patient, the doctor does not need to be aware of the medium exchange time for observation and imaging. However, it is possible to prevent the recording track of the medium from being used up during observation and photographing of one patient. Also,
Even if there is no new disc to be replaced at the time when the warning is issued, it is possible to take a further picture by using rewriting to the recorded track together.

The camera unit and the recording unit may be wirelessly connected to each other using a telemeter system or the like. The recording / reproducing apparatus may be a multi-track VTR.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. 10 …… Endoscope (fiberscope), 20 …… Electronic camera head, 22 …… CCD image sensor, 20 + 40 …… Electronic camera, 24 …… Shooting release switch, 26 …… Track indicator, 28 …… Piezoelectric buzzer (Warning means), 30 ... Camera control unit (CCU), E24 ... Release signal, E30 ... Video signal (video output), 40 ... Multi-track recording / reproducing device (magnetic disk recording device), 42 ...
Recording / playback circuit, 44 …… Recording / playback head (R / PH), 46 ……
Erasing head (EH), 48 ... Head shift control circuit, E48
...... Track shift pulse, 50 …… Magnetic disk (recording medium), 60 …… Down counter, 49 …… Initialize switch, E49 …… Initialize pulse, N …… Preset data, 62,86 …… Preset data memory, 60
+62 ... Track data detection means, Nx ... Count output (track data indicating the number of unrecorded tracks), 70 ... Character generator, 72 ... Data input device, E70 ... Character signal, E42P ... Playback video signal , 74 …… Recording / playback monitor switch, 76 …… Monitor TV, 64 …… Digital comparator, Nr …… Comparison data, E64 …… Alarm start signal, 66
…… Alarm circuit, E66 …… Alarm signal, E48R …… Recoon completion pulse, 80,98,114,116 …… OR gate, 84…
… Down counter, 88,108 …… RS flip-flop, 9
0,110,118 …… AND gate, 92,112 …… Pulse generator, E9
0 …… Write clock, E88, E108 …… Gate signal, 94 ……
Shift register, 96, 102 ... Delay circuit, 100 ... Sync signal detection circuit (unrecorded track detection circuit), E100 ... Detection signal, 62A ... Up counter, E98 ... Reproduction track shift command pulse, 87 ... Zero sensor, E87 …… Playback scan completion pulse, 60A …… Up / down counter, 104
A, 104B …… Rerecording selection switch, 106 …… Differentiation circuit, E10
6 …… Release pulse, E110 …… Reading clock, E94 ……
Data output.

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Shinichiro Hattori 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Judgment Director, Judge Seiji Murai Judge Kogure Takashi Nagashima (56) References JP-A-54-140507 (JP, A) JP-A-54-140543 (JP, A) JP-A-58-57868 (JP, A) JP-A-55-36852 (JP, A) JP-A-57 -89742 (JP, A) JP-A-54-111334 (JP, A) JP-A-56-23077 (JP, A) Actual opening Sho-52-118615 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho-54-95245 (JP, U )

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera with a viewfinder used in combination with an endoscope, a recording device for recording the image output of the electronic camera on a recording medium having a plurality of recording tracks, and only unrecorded tracks of the recording medium. Switching means for selectively switching between a first mode for recording on a recording medium and a second mode for rewriting on a recorded track, and track data corresponding to the number of unrecorded tracks of the recording medium set in the recording device. Detecting means for detecting the track data, display means for displaying the track data in the viewfinder of the electronic camera, and comparing the track data with predetermined timing determination data, and the track data is equal to or less than the timing determination data. A comparing means for outputting an output when the determination is made, and a warning means for displaying a warning upon receiving an output from the comparing means. Endoscopic electronic camera device.