Endoscope apparatus

An endoscope apparatus is an endoscope apparatus that picks up an image of an object using a camera. The endoscope apparatus includes a semiconductor device mounted on a circuit substrate including a CPU core and a drive circuit for driving the camera and a parameter setting section provided in the semiconductor device that sets parameter data for adjusting output timing of a drive signal of the drive circuit or input timing of an image signal from the camera.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Endoscope apparatuses are widely used in an industrial field and a medical field. An endoscope apparatus includes an insertion portion provided with a camera at its distal end portion. A user can bring the camera provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion closer to a vicinity of an object and cause an image picked up by the camera to be displayed on a monitor. For example, as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-145099, the endoscope apparatus includes a control section that controls various functions and a camera control unit that controls the camera. The endoscope apparatus can not only display an image of an object picked up by the camera provided at the distal end portion of the elongated insertion portion on the monitor but also store the image in a storage apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is an endoscope apparatus that picks up an image of an object using an image pickup device, including a semiconductor device mounted on a circuit substrate and having a CPU and a first drive circuit for driving the image pickup device and a first parameter setting section provided in the semiconductor device that sets first parameter data for adjusting output timing of a drive signal of the first drive circuit or input timing of an image signal from the image pickup device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

1. Overall Configuration

First, a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described based onFIG. 1.FIG. 1is an outline configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus1is configured by including a main body2which is a main unit and a scope unit3connected to the main body2. The main body2includes a liquid crystal panel (hereinafter abbreviated as “LCD”)4as a display apparatus that displays an endoscope image, operation menu or the like. A touch panel (FIG. 2) is attached to the LCD4as will be described later. The scope unit3includes an operation section5and an insertion portion7made up of a flexible insertion tube, which is connected to the main body2via a universal cable6which is a connection cable. A distal end portion8of the insertion portion7incorporates an image pickup device (not shown), for example, CCD and an image pickup optical system such as lens is arranged on the image pickup surface side of the image pickup device. A bending portion9is provided on a proximal end side of the distal end portion8. An optical adapter10can be attached to the distal end portion8. The operation section5is provided with various operation buttons such as a release button and up/down/left/right (U/D/L/R) direction bending buttons.

The user can operate the various operation buttons of the operation section5to pick up an image of an object, record a still image or the like. The user can also operate a touch panel to instruct various operations of the endoscope apparatus1. That is, the touch panel constitutes an instruction section for instructing operation contents of the endoscope apparatus1.

Image data obtained by image pickup is inspection data of the inspection target, recorded in a recording medium such as a memory card and the memory card (FIG. 2) is detachable from the main body2.

The scope unit3is detachable from the main body2. Furthermore, the LCD4and the touch panel attached to the LCD4are also detachable from the main body2. Thus, the scope unit3is replaceable according to the type of product or purpose of use during manufacture or use. The length or the like of the insertion portion7of the scope unit3varies depending on the type thereof. Furthermore, the LCD4and the touch panel are attached to the main body2according to the type of product during manufacture. The lengths or the like of cables of connection of the LCD4and the touch panel with a circuit substrate (FIG. 2) of the main body2also vary depending on their types respectively.

The scope unit3, the LCD4and the touch panel are each provided with an identification section to identify their respective types when connected to the main body2as will be described later. The main body2is configured, when the scope unit3, the LCD4and the touch panel are connected thereto, so as to detect or read the states of the respective identification sections or identification data (that is, ID data) to identify the respective types. Here, the ID includes not only information on the type such as the model of the apparatus but also unique information such as manufacturing number for individual identification.

2. Circuit Configuration

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating an inner circuit configuration of the main body2of the endoscope apparatus1.FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the semiconductor device22.

Inside the main body2, the semiconductor device22incorporating various functions which will be described later is mounted on a circuit substrate21. The semiconductor device22is a one-chip semiconductor device. The semiconductor device22is a one-chip IC having functions of a camera control unit and a control section.

The semiconductor device22is connected to apparatuses such as the camera and the LCD via a drive circuit or connector. The semiconductor device22is electrically connected to apparatuses such as the camera via wiring on the one circuit substrate21and a signal cable connected to the wiring.

A camera31is provided in the distal end portion8of the insertion portion7and is connected to the semiconductor device22. The semiconductor device22outputs various drive signals OUT1to the camera31and the camera31outputs various input signals INP1such as video signal to the semiconductor device22. The camera31is a CMOS sensor here.

Therefore, the semiconductor device22is electrically connected to the camera31in the insertion portion7via a signal line and incorporates a drive circuit so as to directly supply a drive signal to the camera31and has an image pickup signal directly inputted from the camera including the CMOS sensor.

An LED32is provided in the distal end portion8of the insertion portion7as an illumination section that illuminates an object to be observed and connected via a DC drive circuit33. The semiconductor device22outputs a drive signal OUT2for the LED32to the DC drive circuit33and the LED32is driven by the output of the DC drive circuit33. The DC drive circuit33is mounted on the circuit substrate21.

The operation section5is connected to the semiconductor device22. The operation section5outputs an input signals INP2which are various operation signals indicating operation contents for the operation section5to the semiconductor device22.

A touch panel34is arranged on and attached to the surface of an LCD4and connected to the semiconductor device22via a touch panel connector35and a DC electrode drive circuit36. The semiconductor device22outputs a drive signal OUT3to drive each electrode of the touch panel34to the DC electrode drive circuit36and the touch panel34is driven by the output of the DC electrode drive circuit36via the touch panel connector35. The touch panel connector35and the DC electrode drive circuit36are mounted on the circuit substrate21. The DC electrode drive circuit36is a circuit that converts the drive signal OUT3from the semiconductor device22to a voltage signal that can drive each electrode of the touch panel34.

An input signal INP3which is a detection signal of a touch position from the touch panel34is outputted to the semiconductor device22via the touch panel connector35.

Therefore, the semiconductor device22is electrically connected to the touch panel34via a signal line and includes a drive circuit so as to supply a drive signal to the touch panel34and directly inputs an input signal from the touch panel34.

The LCD4is connected to the semiconductor device22via an LCD connector37. A backlight DC power supply is given to the LCD connector37. The LCD connector37is mounted on the circuit substrate21. The semiconductor device22communicates various command signals with the LCD4, inputs an input signal INP4from the LCD4and outputs various drive signals OUT4to the LCD4.

Therefore, the semiconductor device22is electrically connected to the LCD4via a signal line and includes a drive circuit so as to directly supply a drive signal to the LCD4.

A memory card38is a storage medium for recording an endoscope image and is connected to the semiconductor device22via a memory card connector39. The memory card connector39is mounted on the circuit substrate21.

The circuit substrate21is mounted with a flash memory40and the flash memory40is connected to the semiconductor device22. The flash memory40may be omitted when a flash memory63(FIG. 3) incorporated in the semiconductor device22which will be described later provides a sufficient amount of storage necessary for various kinds of processing.

A battery41supplies power to one, or two or more DC/DC circuits (not shown) on the circuit substrate21and each DC/DC circuit supplies power necessary for each circuit on the circuit substrate21.

In the aforementioned example, the touch panel connector35, the LCD connector37and the memory card connector39are provided on the circuit substrate21, but these connectors may not necessarily be placed on the circuit substrate21.

The scope unit3detachable from the main body12, the LCD4and the touch panel34include identification sections3a,4aand34afor identifying their respective types as described above. Each identification section includes a resistor and a memory which stores ID data or the like. When the scope unit3, the LCD4and the touch panel34are connected to the main body2or circuit substrate21, the semiconductor device22detects a resistance value of the identification section of each connected apparatus or reads ID data, and can thereby identify the type of the connected apparatus.

Here, among the aforementioned input signals and output signals, examples of those associated with adjustment parameters will be described. An adjustment parameter is setting data about an apparatus connected or circuit and device or the like included in the apparatus.

When the camera31is a CCD image pickup device, video signal adjustment parameters related to the drive signal OUT1are, for example, timing of horizontal synchronization signal (Hsync) and vertical synchronization signal (Vsync) which are reference signals of timing of the drive signal OUT1, output timings and voltages of horizontal transfer pulse, vertical transfer pulse, reset pulse outputted to the CCD image pickup device and subpulse (SUB) used for an electronic shutter. Examples of video signal adjustment parameters related to the input signal INP1include timings and voltages of sample-and-hold pulse of CDS (correlation double sampling), sampling clock of A/D, optical black pulse and pre-blanking pulse.

Furthermore, when the camera is a CMOS image pickup device, examples of adjustment parameters related to the drive signal OUT1include output timing of a CMOS operation clock. Examples of adjustment parameters related to the input INP1include input timings and voltages of pixel clock (PxClk), horizontal synchronization signal, vertical synchronization signal, signal for adjusting timing by one bit at a time for an eight-bit digital video signal in a video input format, horizontal valid image data signal (V offset) and vertical valid image data signal (H offset).

Examples of adjustment parameters related to the LCD4include input/output timings and voltages of horizontal synchronization signal, vertical synchronization signal, video data enable signal, LCD drive clock signal and signal for adjusting timing by one bit at a time for RGB 24-bit signal.

Examples of adjustment parameters related to the touch panel34include input/output timings and voltages of electrode drive signal, touch position detection signal (e.g., touch panel electrode signal or pen-down signal).

Next, contents of the semiconductor device22will be described usingFIG. 3.

The semiconductor device22is a one-chip IC as described above. The semiconductor device22incorporates a CPU core61which is a core section of a central processing unit (CPU), a RAM62, a flash memory63as a nonvolatile rewritable memory, a video processing section64, a video input/output processor65, a graphic processing section66, an ID input circuit67and other circuits68. The CPU core61is connected to each circuit section via an internal bus or signal line group and the circuit sections are also connected to each other via the internal bus or signal line group. As described above, the semiconductor device22controls the entire endoscope apparatus1and also has a function of a conventional camera control unit. As will be described later, since the semiconductor device22incorporates a drive circuit and a timing adjusting circuit of each apparatus, the semiconductor device22incorporating a drive circuit and a timing adjusting circuit of each apparatus is also preferable from die standpoint of EMC measures.

The CPU core61is a control section that performs processing such as various calculations and executes operation of each function of the endoscope apparatus1. The RAM62is a memory for a work storage area of the CPU core61. The flash memory63stores various programs including a program for setting various adjustment parameters in each drive circuit and each timing adjusting circuit, which will be described later, and various parameter data beforehand. The program for setting adjustment parameters functions as a parameter setting section that sets various adjustment parameters. The CPU core61reads the processing program or the like from the flash memory63, expands and executes the processing program on the RAM62.

The RAM62may also be located outside the semiconductor device22. The video processing section64is a circuit that processes moving images and still images picked up by the camera31and includes a still image coding section64a, a still image decoding section64b, a moving image coding section64cand a moving image decoding section64d. The video processing section64encodes image data of an inputted still image in a JPEG format or the like and a moving image in an MPEG4 format or the like and decodes image data stored in the memory card38. The coded data is stored in the memory card38and the decoded data is outputted to the LCD4and images are displayed on a screen.

The video input/output processor65is a processor that controls input/output of video data to/from the camera31and the LCD4and includes a camera I/F65a, a display controller65b, a scaler65cand an enhancer65dor the like.

The camera I/F65adrives the camera31via a drive circuit71aand a timing adjusting circuit72afor the camera31and receives an image pickup signal via the timing adjusting circuit72a.

When the image pickup signal from the camera31is an analog signal, an A/D converter that receives the image pickup signal is included in the timing adjusting circuit72a.

Data of a plurality of adjustment parameters set in a register73ais supplied, that is, transmitted to the drive circuit71a. The drive circuit71ais a circuit to drive the camera31that outputs the drive signal OUT1of a voltage corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data.

Data of a plurality of adjustment parameters set in a register74ais supplied, that is, transmitted to the timing adjusting circuit72a.

The timing adjusting circuit72ais an adjusting circuit provided in the semiconductor device22that adjusts output timing of a drive signal of the drive circuit71aand adjusts input timing of an input signal from the camera31, and when the program as the parameter setting section sets data of adjustment parameters in the timing adjusting circuit72a, as will be described later, timings of input/output signals are adjusted according to the set data of adjustment parameters. The timing adjusting circuit72aadjusts timing of a reference signal of various drive signals OUT1at timing corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter, outputs the various drive signals OUT1at timing corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data and receives an input signal INP1at timing corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data.

The drive circuit71aand the timing adjusting circuit72aadjust the gain of an amplifier, adjust the amount of delay of a delay circuit and adjust the pulse width and the duty ratio of pulses according to the bit value corresponding to the adjustment parameter data inputted from the registers73aand74arespectively.

The display controller65bdrives a drive circuit71bfor the LCD4and outputs display data to the LCD4via a timing adjusting circuit72b. Data of a plurality of adjustment parameters set in a register73bis supplied to the drive circuit71b. The drive circuit71bis a circuit to drive the LCD4as a display section that displays an image of an object picked up by the camera31and the drive circuit71boutputs a drive signal OUT4of a voltage corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data.

Data of a plurality of adjustment parameters set in a register74bis supplied to the timing adjusting circuit72b. As in the case of the timing adjusting circuit71a, the timing adjusting circuit72boutputs various drive signals OUT4at timing corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data and receives an input signal INP4at timing corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data.

The graphic processing section66includes a character superimposing section66a.

The ID input circuit67is a circuit that inputs identification signals (voltages or data) from the respective identification sections3a,4aand34aof the scope unit3, the LCD4and the touch panel34, generates data corresponding to the inputted identification signals and outputs the data to the CPU core61.

The other circuits68include a memory card controller66a, a parallel I/O66b, a serial I/O66c, a USB I/F66d, a clock66eand a touch panel controller66for the like.

The memory card controller66ais a circuit that controls data input/output to/from the memory card38.

The parallel I/O (PIO)66bis an interface circuit to input an operation button signal from the operation section5and input/output a parallel signal (not shown) and the serial I/O (SIO)66cis an interface circuit to input/output a serial signal (not shown). The USB I/F66dis an interface circuit to input/output data to/from a USB standard apparatus. The clock66eis a circuit for internal time management.

The touch panel controller66foutputs a drive signal OUT3to the touch panel34via a drive circuit71cand a timing adjusting circuit72cfor the touch panel34and inputs an input signal INP3via the timing adjusting circuit72c. Data of a plurality of adjustment parameters set in a register73cis supplied to the drive circuit71c. The drive circuit71cis a circuit that drives an instruction section that instructs operation contents of the endoscope apparatus1and outputs the drive signal OUT3of the voltage corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data.

Data of a plurality of adjustment parameters set in a register74cis supplied to the timing adjusting circuit72c. As in the case of the timing adjusting circuit71a, the timing adjusting circuit72coutputs various drive signals OUT3at timing corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data and receives au input signal INP3at timing corresponding to the supplied adjustment parameter data.

As shown above, the aforementioned registers73a,73b,73c,74a,74band74care one, or two or more registers that can store one, or two or more pieces of adjustment parameter data.FIG. 3illustrates registers such that one register is provided for each drive circuit and further one register is provided for each timing adjusting circuit, but a register is provided for each adjustment parameter. A plurality of adjustment parameters may also be stored in one register.

There may be a case where timing adjustment is not necessary for each input signal INP. In such a case, as shown by two-dot dashed lines inFIG. 3, an input signal may be inputted to the video input processor65or the other circuits68without going through the timing adjusting circuit.

Furthermore, when data transmission/reception between the camera31, the LCD4or touch panel34and the semiconductor device22is carried out through serial communication using an LVDS or the like, the circuit such as the LVDS is provided between each timing adjusting circuit72and the camera31, LCD4or touch panel34.

Furthermore, when the illumination LED32is PWM-driven, the PWM drive I/F is included in the other circuits68and the semiconductor device22directly PWM-drives the LED32or drives the LED32via a separately provided drive circuit.

3. Initial values of adjustment parameters and their settings

Each adjustment parameter is set according to the type of an apparatus connected as an initial set value.FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example of table data which stores adjustment parameters related to a camera corresponding to the type of the scope unit3. The table data inFIGS. 4 to 6which will be described below is stored in the flash memory63(or40).

Table data81inFIG. 4stores various adjustment parameters about the scope unit in a table data format for each scope type indicating the type of the scope unit3. As will be described later, the CPU core61reads each adjustment parameter corresponding to an ID of a connected apparatus (that is, the scope unit) from the flash memory63and sets the adjustment parameter in a corresponding register. ID1of the scope unit3is determined by the CPU core61based on an identification signal (voltage or data) from the identification section3ainputted via the ID input circuit67.

An adjustment parameter1is an output voltage value of a horizontal transfer pulse and an adjustment parameter2is an output timing value of a horizontal transfer pulse. The apparatus of that ID is connected to the main body2, the output voltage value and output timing of the horizontal transfer pulse are adjusted and the values obtained by the adjustment are stored in the table data81as the adjustment parameters1and2.

The output voltage value of the adjustment parameter1is stored in the register73aand outputted to the drive circuit71a. The output timing value of the adjustment parameter2is stored in the register74aand outputted to the timing adjusting circuit72a.

The drive circuit71aincludes a voltage adjusting circuit that adjusts and outputs an output voltage according to an inputted value of the adjustment parameter1. Thus, the drive circuit71acan adjust and output an output voltage of a horizontal transfer pulse according to the value of the adjustment parameter1. The drive circuit71aadjusts the gain or the like of the amplifier according to a bit value corresponding to the adjustment parameter data inputted from the register73a.

The timing adjusting circuit72aincludes a circuit that adjusts the output timing of the horizontal transfer pulse according to an inputted value of the adjustment parameter2. Thus, the timing adjusting circuit72acan adjust and output the output timing of the horizontal transfer pulse according to the value of the adjustment parameter2. The timing adjusting circuit72aadjusts the amount of delay of the delay circuit and adjusts the pulse width and the duty ratio of the pulse or the like according to the bit value corresponding to the adjustment parameter data inputted from the register74a.

Likewise, other adjustment parameters are also stored as adjustment parameter3, adjustment parameter4or the like in the register73aor74aand supplied to the drive circuit71aor timing adjusting circuit72a. The drive circuit71aand the timing adjusting circuit72athen adjust the voltage and output timing of the drive signal OUT1according to a given adjustment parameter and output the voltage and output timing to the camera31, respectively.

The camera31can output various drive signals OUT I at an appropriate voltage and output timing according to the type of the scope unit3and input the various input signals INP1at appropriate input timing.

The insertion portion7in particular varies in length depending on the type of the scope unit3and its EMC measures are also different from those of the other scope units. Thus, a plurality of appropriate adjustment parameters are set in the registers73aand74aaccording to the type of the scope unit3, an appropriate drive signal OUT1is outputted and an appropriate input signal INP1is inputted, and therefore the camera31operates appropriately.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example of table data which stores adjustment parameters related to a monitor according to the type of the monitor.

Table data82inFIG. 5stores various adjustment parameters related to the monitor in a table data format for each monitor type indicating the type of the LCD4. The CPU core61reads each adjustment parameter corresponding to ID2of a connected apparatus (that is, the monitor) from the flash memory63and sets the adjustment parameter in a predetermined storage region of a corresponding register. The ID of the LCD4is determined by the CPU core61based on an identification signal (voltage or data) from the identification section4ainputted via the ID input circuit67.

Likewise,FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an example of table data which stores adjustment parameters related to a touch panel corresponding to the type of the touch panel.

Table data83inFIG. 6stores various adjustment parameters related to the touch panel in a table data format for each type of the touch panel34. The CPU core61reads each adjustment parameter corresponding to ID3of a connected apparatus (that is, the touch panel) from the flash memory63and sets the adjustment parameter in a predetermined storage region of a corresponding register. The ID of the touch panel34is determined by the CPU core61based on an identification signal (voltage or data) from the identification section34ainputted via the ID input circuit67.

The CPU core61in the present embodiment obtains ID of each apparatus by reading data or a signal of the identification section provided for each apparatus, but if the touch panel34is available, the IDs of the scope unit3and the LCD4may be inputted from the touch panel34.

4. Adjustment Parameter Setting Processing

Next, the setting processing for each of the aforementioned adjustment parameters will be described.

4.1 Parameter Setting During Manufacture

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating a flow example of adjustment parameter setting processing during manufacture of the endoscope apparatus1. The LCD4, the scope unit3and the touch panel34are connected or attached to the main body12in that order and the processing inFIG. 7is executed for each connected apparatus.

An adjuster of the manufacturing line performs setup so as to set each adjustment parameter using a screen of an apparatus such as a personal computer (PC) connected via the parallel I/O66bor serial I/O66cof the main body2. The apparatus such as a PC is shown by a dotted line inFIG. 2.

When the power to the main body12is turned on and the user selects the adjustment parameter setting processing, the CPU core61reads an adjustment parameter setting processing program from the flash memory63and executes the program.

First, the CPU core61determines whether or not the apparatus (first, the LCD4) is connected or attached (step S11). The determination on whether or not the apparatus is connected is made by, for example, detecting the presence/absence of continuity of a current on a connection detection signal line provided on the connector section.

When the apparatus is connected, step S11results in “YES” and the CPU core61determines whether or not the ID of the connected apparatus has been read (step S12).

When the ID of the apparatus has been read, step S12results in “YES” and the CPU core61reads an adjustment parameter corresponding to the read apparatus ID (step S13). First, the type of the monitor is determined based on the information on the apparatus ID2. Various adjustment parameters corresponding to the type of the monitor are read from the table data82inFIG. 5stored in the flash memory63and written to the RAM62. The data of the apparatus ID read in step S12is also written to the RAM62.

The CPU core61then writes, that is, stores the various read adjustment parameters in the corresponding registers73band74bin which the respective parameters are to be set, and thereby sets the adjustment parameters in the drive circuit71band timing adjusting circuit72b(step S14). The processing in step S14constitutes a parameter setting section provided in the semiconductor device22that sets parameter data for adjusting at least one of output timing of a drive signal or input timing of an input signal of the drive circuit71b.

Various adjustment parameters are set in the drive circuit71band the timing adjusting circuit72b, and the output voltage and the output timing of an output signal, and the input timing of an input signal are thereby adjusted according to each set adjustment parameter and a predetermined image is displayed on the screen of the LCD4. If the displayed image is appropriate, the adjustment parameters are correctly set and the adjusts processing (step S15) is thereby skipped and the CPU core61stores the adjustment parameters written in the RAM62in the flash memory63together with an apparatus ID (here, ID2of the LCD4).

Instructions on the skip in step S15and the storage processing in step S16are given by, for example, an adjuster or inspector of the manufacturing line observing the screen of the LCD4, performing a predetermined operation on the PC and giving a predetermined instruction to the CPU core61.

In step S14, various adjustment parameters are set in the drive circuit71band the timing adjusting circuit72b, but when a predetermined image is not appropriately displayed on the screen of the LCD4, the adjustment processing in step S15is performed by the adjuster. This adjustment processing is performed by the adjuster using a tester or the like.

The adjuster stores the various adjustment parameters set in the adjustment processing (step S15) in the RAM62using a PC or the like connected to the main body2. The PC or the like is configured so that an adjustment parameter setting screen as shown inFIG. 8is displayed on the screen of the monitor of the PC or the like.FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating an example of adjustment parameter setting screen. The adjuster who is the user can input an adjustment parameter in an input field92corresponding to each adjustment parameter displayed on a screen91. Adjustment parameters can be stored by clicking on a set button93or the like.

When the apparatus (that is, LCD4) is not connected, step S11results in “NO” and processing on the LCD4is not performed.

Furthermore, when the apparatus ID cannot be read (when the identification section is abnormal or malfunctions or no identification section is provided or the like), step S12results in “NO” and the inspector performs adjustment processing (step S15).

As described above, the apparatus ID includes not only information on the type such as the model of the apparatus but also unique information such as manufacturing number for individual identification, but when adjustment parameters are read in step S13, information on the model or the like indicating the type of the apparatus in the apparatus ID is used.

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating an example of memory map of various adjustment parameters and apparatus IDs stored in the RAM62.

As shown inFIG. 9, the RAM62includes a storage region MR1that stores adjustment parameters on the scope unit3, a storage region MR2that stores adjustment parameters on the LCD4, a storage region MR3that stores adjustment parameters on the touch panel34and storage regions MR4, MR5and MR6that store a scope ID, a monitor ID and a touch panel ID.

Various adjustment parameters related to the LCD4and the apparatus ID2are stored in the storage regions MR2and MR5of the RAM62.

Data of various parameters stored in the RAM62are stored as data of corresponding adjustment parameters of the flash memory63(step S16). When once set various adjustment parameters are changed through the adjustment processing (step S15) of the processing inFIG. 7, the data of the table data82is updated. The ID data of the LCD4stored in the RAM62is also stored in a predetermined storage region of the flash memory63in step S16.

Next, the setting processing of the adjustment parameters inFIG. 7is performed on the scope unit3, and as shown inFIG. 9, adjustment parameters and apparatus ID1are stored in the storage regions MR1and MR4of the RAM62respectively and stored or updated as adjustment parameters of the corresponding scope type of the table data81of the flash memory63.

The adjuster can also determine whether or not the setting of adjustment parameters on the scope unit3is appropriate by observing an image displayed on the LCD4.

Furthermore, the adjustment parameter setting processing inFIG. 7on the touch panel34is performed, the adjustment parameters and apparatus ID3are thereby stored in the storage regions MR3and MR6of the RAM62respectively as shown inFIG. 9and stored or updated as adjustment parameters of the corresponding touch panel of the table data83of the flash memory63.

As described above, the processing in aforementioned step S14performed on the camera31constitutes a parameter setting section provided in the semiconductor device22that sets parameter data for adjusting at least one of the output timing of the drive signal of the drive circuit71a and input timing of an input signal of the image signal from the camera31. Likewise, the processing in aforementioned step S14performed on the touch panel34constitutes a parameter setting section provided in the semiconductor device22that sets parameter data for adjusting at least one of the output timing of the drive signal of the drive circuit71c and the input timing of an input signal from the touch panel34.

In the aforementioned example, each adjustment parameter as an initial value stored in the flash memory63is rewritten through the setting processing during manufacture, but the table data81to83inFIG. 4toFIG. 6may be stored as initial values and adjustment parameters confirmed by the setting may be stored in the flash memory63apart from the initial values.

4.2 Parameter Setting When Power is ON

The endoscope apparatus1is adjusted correctly through the processing inFIG. 7during manufacture and the adjustment parameters at the time of adjustment are stored in the flash memory63. When the endoscope apparatus1is actually used on the site, the power is turned ON and the endoscope apparatus1is started.

In an industrial endoscope apparatus, the LCD4and the touch panel34attached to the main body2are seldom replaced under normal conditions on the site, but the scope unit3is relatively often replaced. In such a case, the user can set parameters of the scope unit3using the LCD4or touch panel34.

When the LCD4is replaced, the user can also set parameters of the LCD4using the touch panel34. When replacing the touch panel34, the user connects a PC or the like to the main body2as described above and can set parameters of the touch panel34using the screen of the PC or the like.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a flow example of adjustment parameter setting processing when the endoscope apparatus1is ON. The processing inFIG. 10is executed for each connected apparatus.

When the power to the main body12is turned ON, the CPU core61executes the adjustment parameter setting processing program inFIG. 10.

First, the CPU core61determines whether or not the apparatus (first, the LCD4) is connected or attached to the main body2(step S21). When the apparatus is not attached, step S21results in “NO” and the CPU core61outputs a predetermined alarm (step S22). Examples of the predetermined output include display output to the LCD4or touch panel34, voice output and beep tone output or the like.

When the apparatus is connected, step S21results in “YES” and the CPU core61determines whether or not the ID of the connected apparatus has been read (step S23).

When the ID of the apparatus has been read, step S23results in “YES”, the CPU core61reads the apparatus ID2of the connected apparatus, the LCD4here, compares the apparatus ID2with the apparatus ID stored in the storage region MR5of the flash memory63and thereby deter mines whether or not the connected apparatus has been changed. Comparisons are made not only in the type information of apparatus ID but also including unique individual identification information such as manufacturing number.

When there is no change in the connected apparatus, step S24results in “NO,” various adjustment parameters corresponding to the type of the connected apparatus are read from the flash memory63and set in the drive circuit71band the timing adjusting circuit72b(step S25). The setting is made by the CPU core61writing the various adjustment parameters read from the flash memory63in the RAM62and further writing the various adjustment parameters in the registers73band74b. The processing in step S25constitutes a parameter setting section provided in the semiconductor device22that sets parameter data for adjusting at least one of output timing of a drive signal or input timing of an input signal of the drive circuit7lb.

Furthermore, when there is a change in the connected apparatus, step S24results “YES” and the CPU core61executes the adjustment parameter setting processing program inFIG. 7(step S26). In this case, since this is a setting of parameters of the LCD4, the adjustment parameter setting processing of the LCD4is performed. When the touch panel34is available, the adjustment parameters can be set using the touch panel34. Through the adjustment parameter setting processing program, the screen as shown inFIG. 8is displayed on the touch panel34and the user can set the adjustment parameters using the screen.

Furthermore, when the apparatus ID, that is, the ID of the identification section4aof the LCD4cannot be read, step S23results in “NO” and the CPU core61executes adjustment processing (step S27). This step S27is processing similar to that in step S15inFIG. 7.

The CPU core61stores the data of various adjustment parameters stored in the RAM62as data of corresponding adjustment parameters of the flash memory63(step S28). This step S27is processing similar to that in step S16inFIG. 7.

As described above, adjustment parameters of the LCD4are set first and then the processing inFIG. 10on the scope unit3and touch panel34is also performed.

As a result, for the LCD4, scope unit3and touch panel34, appropriate adjustment parameters are set in each drive circuit and each timing adjusting circuit.

As described so far, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus that can easily adjust circuits in the apparatus. In the aforementioned example in particular, since each adjustment parameter is set by software, a circuit adjustment in the endoscope apparatus is easy.

Furthermore, since the endoscope apparatus of the aforementioned present embodiment incorporates the drive circuit and the timing adjusting circuit for each apparatus in the semiconductor device, the configuration in which the semiconductor device incorporates the drive circuit and the timing adjusting circuit for each apparatus is also preferable from the standpoint of EMC measures.

In the aforementioned example, the drive circuits and the timing adjusting circuits are shown as different circuits as the drive circuits71a,71band71cand the timing adjusting circuits72a,72band72c, but there may be a case where it is possible to adjust output timing of the drive signal OUT together by adjusting the drive circuit, and in such a case, part or the whole of the timing adjusting circuit is included in the drive circuit.

As described so far, according to the aforementioned present embodiment, it is possible to easily realize an endoscope apparatus in a simple configuration that can easily perform a circuit adjustment even when an image pickup device with a high number of pixels is used.

The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, but various changes and modifications or the like can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.