Abstract:
A medical support control device to display an image captured by a medical device on a display device, comprising: a storage unit for storing, in a prescribed order, display format types of the image displayed on the bases of video signals output from the medical device, and a display switching unit for causing the display unit to display the image in the format in the prescribed order, on the bases of a display format switching signal from an operation unit of the medical device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a medical support control system for controlling medical devices and non-medical devices used for operations. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Operating systems using medical controllers or the like for controlling medical devices such as endoscopes or the like used for operations have been proposed. Medical devices to be controlled such as electric knives, insufflation devices, endoscope cameras, light source devices, or the like are connected to the medical controller (also referred to as MC). Also, a display device, a manipulation panel, or the like is connected to the MC. The manipulation panel includes a display unit and a touch sensor, and is used as a central manipulation device by nurses or the like working in an unsterilized area. The display device is used for displaying endoscope images or the like. 
         [0005]    There is audio-visual equipment in the operating room such as a room light, a room camera, an interphone device, a liquid crystal display device, or the like (non-medical devices). The audio-visual equipment is controlled independently or by a non-medical controller (also referred to as an NMC) used for the central control. 
         [0006]    Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-000536, for example, discloses an operating system, comprising: 
         [0007]    a first controller connected to a medical device provided in an operating room; 
         [0008]    a second controller connected to a non-medical device provided in the operating room; and 
         [0009]    manipulation instruction input means transmitting the content of a manipulation instruction to the first controller when the manipulation instruction to the medical device or the non-medical device is input. The first controller transmits to the second controller a first control signal in accordance with the manipulation instruction of the non-medical device input into the manipulation instruction means. The second controller converts the first control signal into a second control signal used for controlling the non-medical device, and transmits the second control signal to the non-medical device. Thereby, the operating system and a non-medical system work together, and the operating person himself/herself or the like can manipulate the non-medical devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A medical support control system that causes a display device to display an image shot by a medical device, comprising: 
         [0011]    storage means having stored, in a prescribed order, types of display formats of images to be displayed in accordance with video signals output from a medical device; and 
         [0012]    display switching means causing the display device to display images in the display formats in accordance with a display format switching signal from a manipulation unit in the medical device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an entire configuration of a medical device control system according to the present embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of a medical support control system  100  according to the present embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view showing a configuration of the rear panel of an NMC according to the present embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a configuration of a video interface card; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a configuration of a switching control card; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a configuration of a video processing card; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows a configuration of a touch panel control card; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  shows a flow of switching signals and video signals from an endoscope to the NMC; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  shows switching of display formats; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  shows a flow of signals when the video signals were switched; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart for a process for controlling the display format in accordance with the switching signals; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  shows tables for a variation example. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail, referring to the drawings. 
         [0026]    A medical support control system according to the present embodiment includes a medical device control system and a non-medical device control system. The medical device control system includes a plurality of medical devices and a medical controller for controlling these medical devices. The non-medical device control system includes non-medical devices (that may further include medical devices) that are used for operations, and a non-medical controller for controlling these non-medical devices. 
         [0027]    An endoscopic operating system will be explained as an example of the medical device control system. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows an entire configuration of the medical device control system according to the present embodiment. An endoscopic operating system is shown as a medical device control system  101 . In the operating room, a first endoscopic operating system  102  and a second endoscopic operating system  103  beside a bed  144  on which a patient  145  is laid and a wireless remote controller  143  for the operating person are provided. 
         [0029]    The endoscopic operating systems  102  and  103  respectively have first and second trolleys  120  and  139  each including a plurality of endoscope peripheral devices used for observation, examination, procedures, recoding, and the like. Also, an endoscope image display panel  140  is arranged on a movable stand. 
         [0030]    On the first trolley  120 , an endoscope image display panel  111 , a central display panel  112 , a central manipulation panel device  113 , a medical controller (MC)  114 , a recorder  115 , a video processor  116 , an endoscope light source device  117 , an insufflation unit  118 , and an electrical surgical device  119  are arranged. 
         [0031]    The central manipulation panel device  113  is arranged in an unsterilized area to be used by nurses or the like in order to manipulate the respective medical devices in a centralized manner. This central manipulation panel device  113  may include a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch panel, or the like (not shown). By using the central manipulation panel device  113 , the medical devices can be managed, controlled, and manipulated in a centralized manner. 
         [0032]    The respective medical devices are connected to the MC  114  via communication cables (not shown) such as serial interface cables or the like, and can have communications with one another. 
         [0033]    Also, a headset-type microphone  142  can be connected to the MC  114 . The MC  114  can recognize voices input through the headset-type microphone  142 , and can control the respective devices in accordance with the voices of the operating person. 
         [0034]    The endoscope light source device  117  is connected to a first endoscope  146  through a light-guide cable used for transmitting the illumination light. The illumination light emitted from the endoscope light source device  117  is provided to the light guide of the first endoscope  146  and illuminates the affected areas or the like in the abdomen of the patient  145  into which the insertion unit of the first endoscope  146  has been inserted. 
         [0035]    The optical image data obtained through the camera head of the first endoscope  146  is transmitted to a video processor  116  through a camera cable. The optical image data undergoes signal processing in a signal processing circuit in the video processor  116 , and the video signals are created. 
         [0036]    The insufflation unit  118  provides CO 2  gas to the abdomen of the patient  145  through a tube. The CO 2  gas is obtained from a gas tank  121 . 
         [0037]    On the second trolley  139 , an endoscope image display panel  131 , a central display panel  132 , a expansion unit  133 , a recorder  134 , a video processor  135 , an endoscope light source device  136 , and other medical devices  137  and  138  (such as an ultrasonic processing device, a lithotripsy device, a pump, a shaver, and the like) are arranged. These respective devices are connected to the expansion unit  133  through cables (not shown), and can communicate with one another. The MC  114  and the expansion unit  133  are connected to each other through the expansion cable  141 . 
         [0038]    The endoscope light source device  136  is connected to a second endoscope  147  through the light-guide cable for transmitting the illumination light. The illumination light emitted from the endoscope light source device  136  is provided to the light guide of the second endoscope  147 , and illuminates the affected areas or the like in the abdomen of the patient  145  into which the insertion unit of the second endoscope  147  has been inserted. 
         [0039]    The optical image data obtained through the camera head of the second endoscope  147  is transmitted to a video processor  135  through a camera cable. The optical image data undergoes signal processing in a signal processing circuit in the video processor  135 , and the video signals are created. Then, the video signals are output to the endoscope image display panel  131 , and endoscope images of the affected areas or the like are displayed on the endoscope image display panel  131 . 
         [0040]    Further, the MC  114  can be controlled by the operating person manipulating the devices in the unsterilized area. Also, the first and second trolleys  120  and  139  can include other devices such as printers, ultrasonic observation devices, or the like. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of a medical support control system  100  according to the present embodiment. As described above, the medical support control system  100  includes the medical device control system  101  and a non-medical device control system  201 . A detailed configuration of the medical device control system  101  is as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, in  FIG. 2 , the medical device control system  101  is shown in a simplified manner for simplicity of explanation. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 2 , a medical device group  160  is a group of medical devices that are directly connected to the medical controller  114  or are indirectly connected to the MC  114  via the expansion unit  133 . Examples of the devices included in the medical device group  160  are the insufflation unit  118 , the video processor  116 , the endoscope light source device  117 , the electrical surgical device  119 , and the like. 
         [0043]    The central manipulation panel device  113  has a touch panel, and in accordance with the information input into the touch panel, the devices connected to the MC  114  or a non-medical device controller (NMC)  202  that will be described later can be manipulated. 
         [0044]    The non-medical control system  201  includes the NMC  202  connected to the MC  114  through a communication cable or the like, and a non-medical device group  210 . In this configuration, the NMC  202  can transmit and receive, through an image cable, the video signals to and from the medical device group  160  connected to the MC  114 . 
         [0045]    The NMC  202  controls the non-medical devices (including the audio-visual devices) connected thereto. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the non-medical device group  210  connected to the NMC  202  according to the present embodiment consists of a room light  211 , a room camera  212 , a ceiling camera  213 , an air conditioner  214 , a telephone system  215 , a conference system  216  to be used for individuals in remote places (referred to as a video conference system hereinafter), and other peripheral devices  217 . Further, a display device  220  and a central manipulation panel device  221  are connected to the NMC  202 . 
         [0046]    Also, the non-medical device group  210  includes equipment such as light devices provided in the operating room in addition to the AV devices used for recording and reproducing image data. 
         [0047]    The display device  220  is a plasma display panel (PDP) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and displays images of the predetermined device or images of the devices selected by nurses or the like through the central manipulation panel device  221 . The room light  211  is a device that illuminates the operating room. The room camera  212  is used for shooting images of the situations in the operating room. The ceiling camera  213  is a camera suspended from the ceiling whose positions can be changed. The conference system  216  is a system that displays images and transmits voices of nurses or the like in the medical office or the nurse stations, and enables conversations with them. The peripheral devices  217  are, for example, a printer, a CD player, a DVD recorder, and the like. The central manipulation panel device  221  has a touch panel that is the same as that included in the central manipulation panel device  113 , and controls the respective AV devices connected to the NMC  202 . The central manipulation panel devices  113  and  221  are referred to as TPs hereinafter. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  is a side view showing a configuration of the rear panel of the NMC  202  according to the present embodiment. 
         [0049]    The NMC  202  includes a PCI section  301  and an audio/video section  302 . 
         [0050]    The PCI section communicates with devices connected to the external environment, and has cards having relay devices and the functions of the RS232C, the digital I/O, the ether net, and the modem in order to control devices in the non-medical device group  210  that are connected to other cards that will be described later. 
         [0051]    The audio/video section  302  includes audio interface cards  303  (AIC), video interface cards  304  (VIC), a switching control card  305  (SCC), a touch panel card  306  (TPC), and video processing cards  307  (VPC). Additionally, the respective cards included in the audio/video section  302  of the NMC  202  are detachable. 
         [0052]    The AICs  303  are inserted into a plurality of slots for the AICs  303  in order to receive, process (amplify, for example), and output audio signals input from a device such as an IC or the like that includes a transmitter/receiver existing in the external environment. 
         [0053]    Each of the VICs  304  creates, when a video signal is input into it from the external environment, a common signal, said common signal being different from any of the video signals input into and output from the VICs  304  and said common signal being used commonly in the NMC  202 . 
         [0054]    In this configuration, examples of the video signals include an HD/SD-SDI (High Definition/Standard Definition-Serial Digital Interface) signal, an RGB/YPbPr signal, an S-Video signal, a CVBS (Composite Video Blanking and Sync) signal, a DVI-I (Digital Visual Interface Integrated) signal, an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) signal, and the like. 
         [0055]    Also, the VICs  304  have a function of converting the common signals into video signals that are appropriate to the output destinations. Also, the VICs  304  can be inserted into a plurality of slots for the VICs  304 . Also, the VICs  304  can have a common interface connector  405 . Also, the VICs  304  use paths for directly outputting the input video signals without converting the signals when the VICs  304  are turned off. 
         [0056]    The SCC  305  selects the VIC  304  as the output destination in accordance with instructions given from the external environment. Also, the SCC  305  obtains VIC-related information including identification information used for identifying the VICs  304  and position information specifying the positions of the corresponding VICs  304 . The identification information is obtained from the VICs  304 . Then, the SCC  305  detects, on the basis of the VIC-related information, the position of the VIC  304  as the output destination set in accordance with the instruction given from the external environment, selects the VIC  304  as the output destination for the common signal, and determines whether or not this output should be made via the VPC  307 . 
         [0057]    The SCC  305  is connected to the TP  221  via, for example, the TPC  306 , and the manipulator sets, in the SCC  305 , which of the VICs  304  is to be selected as the output destination and whether or not the output should be made via the VPC  307 . 
         [0058]    The VPC  307 , in accordance with the video signals expressed by the common signals, processes the input signals into video signals appropriate to the selected VIC  304 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 4  shows a configuration of the VIC  304 . 
         [0060]    The VIC  304  is attached to a back plane  401 , and includes an input processing unit  402 , a signal conversion unit  403 , an output processing unit  404 . In this configuration, the back plane  401  includes slots into which the audio interface cards (AIC)  303 , the video interface cards (VIC)  304 , the switching control card (SCC)  305 , a touch panel card (TPC)  306 , and the video processing cards (VPC)  307  are inserted. These cards perform communications via the back plane  401 . 
         [0061]    The VICs  304  transmit and receive, through the back plane  401 , the common signals that are obtained by converting the video signals by using the signal conversion unit  403 , the common signals input through the cards other than the VICs  304 , the identification information for identifying the VICs  304 , and the position information for specifying the positions of the slots into which the VICs have been inserted. 
         [0062]    The input processing unit  402  receives the video signals output from devices (medical devices and non-medical devices) that are connected to the NMC  202  and are used for outputting video signals, and transfers the received video signals to the signal conversion unit  403 . 
         [0063]    The signal conversion unit  403  converts the common signal, said common signal being different from any of the video signals input into and output from the VICs  304  and said common signal being used commonly in the NMC  202 , into video signals, and vice versa. 
         [0064]    In other words, the signal conversion unit  403  converts the video signal input from the input processing unit  402  into the common signals, and outputs the common signals to the back plane  401 . Also, the signal conversion unit  403  obtains the common signal input into the VICs  304  via the back plane  401 , and converts the obtained signals into video signals appropriate to the selected VIC  304 . 
         [0065]    Also, the signal conversion unit  403  outputs, via the back plane  401 , VIC-related information (a card ID signal) consisting of the identification information used for identifying the VIC  304  and the position information specifying the position of the slot into which the VIC  304  has been inserted. 
         [0066]    The output processing unit  404  outputs the video signals obtained by the conversion by using the signal conversion unit  403 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 5  shows a configuration of the SCC  305 . 
         [0068]    The SCC  305  is attached to the back plane  401 , includes an input processing unit  501 , a path switching unit  502 , a control unit  503 , and an output processing unit  505 , and switches the paths for the serialized common signals. 
         [0069]    The input processing unit  501  receives the common signals input from the back plane  401  and transfers the received signals to the path switching unit  502 . 
         [0070]    The path switching unit  502  switches the paths for the common signals. For example, the path switching unit  502  determines, on the basis of the path switching signals output from the control unit  503 , the path for the common signal to be output to the output-destination VIC  304 . Also, when image processing is to be performed in the VPC  307 , the path switching unit  502  determines, on the basis of the path switching signal, the path for the common signal to be output to the output-destination VPC  307 . Also, the path switching unit  502  determines the path to the VIC  304  for the common signal that is output from the VPC  307  after the image processing. 
         [0071]    The control unit  503  has a card identification setting unit  504  and a signal conversion unit  506 , transfers control signals (including display format switching signals) input into the PCI section  301  from the endoscope, and controls the respective units in the SCC  305  by obtaining the control signals input from the PCI section  301 . 
         [0072]    Also, the control unit  503  obtains the control signals (including display format switching signals) transferred from the PCI section  301 , and transfers, to the back plane  401  via the VPC  307 , the display format switching signals used for switching the image processing of the VPC  307 . 
         [0073]    The card identification setting unit  504  in the control unit  503  outputs path switching signals that are used for determining the output paths for the output-destination VIC  304  and the VPC  307  on the basis of the identification information and the position information of the VIC-related information (card ID information) and the selection information of the output-destination VIC  304  and the VPC  307  set in accordance with the control signals from the TPs  113  and  221 . 
         [0074]    In order to perform setting from the external environment, selection information for the output-destination VIC  304  is set in the card identification setting unit  504  from, for example, the TPs  113  and  221  in order to cause the input-destination VIC  304  and the output-destination VIC  304  to correspond to each other. By establishing this correspondence, the position of the output-destination VIC  304  is detected from the VIC-related information in order to determine the output-destination VIC  304  for the common signals. 
         [0075]    The output processing unit  505  outputs, to the output-destination VIC  304  set in the above step, the common signals output from the path switching unit  502 . 
         [0076]    The signal conversion unit  506  converts into common signals the image signals (such as GUI image signal) transferred from the PCI section  301 , and transfers the signals to the path switching unit  502 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  shows a configuration of a VPC  307 . 
         [0078]    The VPCs are attached to the back plane  401 , and include an input processing unit  601 , an image processing unit  602 , a memory device  603 , and an output processing unit  604 . 
         [0079]    The input processing unit  601  receives the common signals input from the back plane  401 , and transfers the received common signals to the image processing unit  602 . 
         [0080]    The image processing unit  602 , on the basis of the video signals expressed by the common signals, processes the signals into video signals appropriate to the selected VIC  304 , and also holds the common signals input from the input processing unit  601  in the memory device  603 , and performs image processing on the held common signals in order to output the signals. It is also possible that the common signals undergo the image processing after being converted into the prescribed video signals. 
         [0081]    The above image processing includes, for example, the de-interlacing, the rate control, the scaling, the mirror, the rotation, the picture in picture (PIP), the picture out picture (POP), and the like. 
         [0082]    The output processing unit  604  transfers, to the SCC  305  via the back plane  401 , the common signals that have undergone the image processing performed by the image processing unit  602 . 
         [0083]    A display switching means  605  causes the display device to sequentially display images in formats according with the display format switching signals transmitted from the manipulation unit in the medical device. 
         [0084]      FIG. 7  shows a configuration of the touch panel card  306 . 
         [0085]    The TPC  306  is included in the back plane  401 , and has a function of editing images in accordance with the instructions given by the TPs  113  and  221 . 
         [0086]    The TPC  306  includes a GUI input interface unit  701 , a video input interface unit  702 , a memory device  704 , an image processing unit  705 , and a control unit  706 . The GUI input interface unit  701  and the video input interface unit  702  collect images in accordance with the instructions given by the TPs  113  and  221 . 
         [0087]    The GUI input interface unit  701  is an interface that obtains display layout information (hereinafter, referred to as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image) created in the PCI section  301 , and transfers the image to the image processing unit  705  via the SCC  305  and the back plane  401 . 
         [0088]    The video input interface unit  702  obtains medical images from the medical device group  160 , and outputs the data obtained from the images to the image processing unit  705 . 
         [0089]    In this configuration, the medical images are input into the VIC  304  as video signals, are converted into common signals in the VIC  304 , and are input into the SCC  305 . Thereafter, the medical images that have been converted into the common signals are output to the output-destination VPC  307  on the basis of the setting in the SCC  305 , undergo image processing in the VPC  307 , and are input into the video input interface unit  702 . 
         [0090]    The memory device  704  holds the GUI images obtained in the GUI input interface unit  701 , the medical images obtained in the video input interface unit  702 , or the synthetic images processed in the image processing unit  705 . 
         [0091]    The image processing unit  705  performs image processing on the respective images obtained in the GUI input interface unit  701  and the video input interface unit  702 , and transfers the image-processed images to the control unit  706 . In other words, by including the medical images in a prescribed region in the GUI image, the GUI image and the medical image are synthesized. 
         [0092]    The control unit  706  directly outputs the images that have undergone the image processing in the TP  221 . Also, the control unit  706  is a device for controlling the entirety of the TPC  306 , and outputs the images that have undergone the image processing in the image processing unit  705  to the TPs  113  and  221 . 
         [0093]    Also, control signals (coordinate information) transferred from the TPs  113  and  221  are output to the back plane  401 , and are transferred to the SCC  305 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 8  shows a configuration including the endoscopes  801  that are used as external control devices arranged in the sterilization area and the medical support control system. The example in  FIG. 8  includes the endoscopes  801 , the video processor  116 , the MC  114 , the NMC  202 , and the display device  220 . 
         [0095]    A plurality of the endoscopes  801  have switch devices used for switching the display formats of medical images, and manipulation units  802  for detecting the switching instructions given by the switch devices. 
         [0096]    The manipulation unit  802  outputs switching signals to the video processor  116  when detecting the switching instruction given by, for example, the switch device. 
         [0097]    When receiving a switching signal, the communication unit  803  in the video processor  116  transfers this switching signal to the MC  114 . 
         [0098]    The MC  114 , having received the switching signal, transfers the switching signal to the NMC  202  via, for example, a communication line. 
         [0099]    The NMC  202  causes the display device to display images in the switched display formats each time the NMC  202  receives the switching signal. The display format means the results of the image processing on medical images output from the endoscopes  801 . 
         [0100]      FIG. 9  shows display formats. The images shown in  FIG. 9  are medical images that are switched in accordance with the switching instructions given by the endoscopes  701 . In  FIG. 9A , a medical image transferred from the endoscope  701  is displayed at full screen. In  FIG. 9B , the medical image displayed in  FIG. 9A  and a medical image shot by a medical device other than the endoscope  701  are displayed at different sizes. In  FIG. 9C , the two medical images in  FIG. 9B  are displayed at the same size. In  FIG. 9D , a medical image shot by a medical device other than the endoscope  701  is displayed at full screen. In  FIG. 9E , the images are displayed in sizes reversed from those in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0101]      FIG. 10  shows a flow of respective image signals and control signals when images are edited. 
         [0102]    The users select medical images to be edited by using the TP  221 , an output-destination display device and a type of image processing. In  FIG. 10 , a medical image  1  and a medical image  2  transmitted from a plurality of medical devices (such as endoscopes) are selected, an output-destination display device  220  connected to a VIC 3   304  is selected, and the PIP or the POP is selected as the image processing. 
         [0103]    The medical images  1  and  2  are respectively input to the VIC 1   304  and the VIC 2   304  in the form of the video signals  1  and  2  (dotted lines), and are respectively converted into common signals  1  and  2  by the VIC 1   304  and the VIC 2   304 . 
         [0104]    The common signals  1  and  2  (represented by solid lines) are input into the SCC  305  via the back plane  401 , and are input into the VPC 1   307  via the prescribed path set by the SCC  305  in accordance with the setting made on an edition screen in the TP  221 . 
         [0105]    In the VPC 1   307 , image processing is performed on the common signals  1  and  2 , and a common signal  3  (represented by a solid line) is output. Then, a GUI image is created in a GUI creation unit  903  in a control unit  902  in the PCI section  301 , and is transferred to the SCC  305  via an input/output unit  901 . The GUI image signal obtained in the SCC  305  is converted into a common signal  4 , and is transferred to the TPC  306  via the back plane  401 . 
         [0106]    Synthetic image signals (represented by a dashed line) output from the TPC  306  are displayed in the TP  221  via the rear panel. 
         [0107]    Next, the users view the synthetic images displayed on the TP  221 , and determine the image (display format). In the case of  FIG. 9 , for example, respective display formats corresponding to the five images (A-E) are determined for each image. When the display format is determined by the TP  221 , a determination signal is transferred to the input/output unit  901  in the PCI section  301 . Thereafter, the control signal is transferred to the control unit  902 . In the control unit  902 , the display format and data corresponding to the display format are stored in the form of, for example, a table in a memory device (storage means  904 ). The determination signal includes data necessary to display the display format (information such as the type of the image processing, the image size, the position of the image, etc.). 
         [0108]    Also, when determined, the determination signal is output from the TP  221  to the SCC  305 , and in the SCC  305 , the paths for the VPC 1   304  and the VIC 2   304  for inputting a video signal, and the output-destination VIC 3   304  are formed, and the input/output path for the VPC 1   307  is set. 
         [0109]    Also, into the input/output unit  901  in the PCI section  301 , the display format switching signal is transferred from the endoscope  801 . In accordance with the display format switching signal, the display format stored on the table in the control unit  902  is selected, and the selected display format is reported to the VPC  307  (display switching means  605 ) via the SCC  305 . In accordance with this report, the type of a display format is set in the VPC  307 , and images in the display format can be displayed on the display device. 
         [0110]    The VPC  307  converts the synthetic image of the set display format into the common signal  3 , and transfers it to the SCC  305 . The SCC  305  transfers the common signal  3  to the VIC 3   304 , and the VIC 3   304  is output to a desired display device. 
         [0111]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart for the switching process of display formats. 
         [0112]    In step S 1 , the initial setting is performed. For example, the voltage level of the switching signal transferred from the MC is monitored, and when it has become “high”, the value of a counter provided in the control unit  902  is incremented, and if a display format stored in advance is to be selected in accordance with the counter value, the counter value (X) is set to zero (X←zero). In this example, a counter is used to perform the toggle switching; however, this is not intended to be limiting and it is also possible that switching can be performed from devices connected to the NMC 202 . 
         [0113]    In step S 2 , the switching signal is obtained from the endoscope  801 . As explained in the above, the switching signal is obtained in the PCI section  301  via the MC  114 . 
         [0114]    In step S 3 , the counter value is incremented (X←X+1). Detecting the change in the switching signal, the control unit  902  increments the counter value. The counter value returns to one when the value has reached the upper limit. 
         [0115]    In step S 4 , the counter value and the switching value in the table (display format table) are compared to each other. When the comparison result is “1”, the process proceeds to step S 5 . Similarly, the process proceeds to the respective steps in accordance with the counter value. 
         [0116]    The table (display format table), as shown in  FIG. 11 , is set by the TP  221  in advance. The table shown in  FIG. 11  stores “switching value”, “display format”, and “setting data”. The “switching value” is a number assigned in accordance with the display format set by the TP  221 , and corresponds to the counter value of the counter. The types of the image processing performed in the VPC  307  are stored as the “display format”. The detailed setting for the image processing set as the display format is stored as the “setting data”. Examples of the detailed setting are sizes of images, positions of images, and the like. Also, in the table (display image table), the “display format” and the “setting data” are separated; however, they may be processed together. 
         [0117]    In step S 5 , the display format corresponding to the counter value 1 is selected, and “display format” and “setting data” are prepared as the display format switching signals. 
         [0118]    In step S 6 , the display format corresponding to the counter value 2 is selected, and “display format” and “setting” data are prepared as another display format switching signals. 
         [0119]    In step S 7 , the display format corresponding to the counter value 3 is selected, and “display format” and “setting” data are prepared as yet another display format switching signals. 
         [0120]    In step S 8 , the display format corresponding to the counter value n (integer) is selected, and “display format” and “setting” data are prepared as still another display format switching signals. 
         [0121]    In step S 9 , the display switching signals are transferred to the SCC  305 . 
         [0122]    In the present example, example 1, the display format is switched by using a switch device provided in the endoscope mainly; however, it is also possible for the display format to be switched by the TP  221 . 
         [0123]    According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a medical support control system that controls medical devices and non-medical devices. 
         [0124]    Conventionally, an operating person (such as a physician) has given instructions for changing display formats, and personnel such as nurses have had to edit a plurality of images by using the TP  221  in accordance with the instructions. Accordingly, troublesome manipulations have been required each time the display formats were to be switched. Also, sometimes it has been impossible to view necessary images at proper timings. 
         [0125]    By employing the above configuration, necessary images can be viewed at proper timings. Also, it is possible to change the display formats from the sterilization area. 
       VARIATION EXAMPLES 
       [0126]    Display format tables are prepared respectively for procedures and medical instruments employed. Similarly to example 1, the display formats are stored in the storage means in a prescribed order. Because different patterns of image processing have to be used depending upon the procedures and medical instruments employed, they are stored in advance. 
         [0127]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , a plurality of display format tables such as for procedures  1 ,  2 , users  1 ,  2  . . . , etc. are stored in the storage means. Users input the table contents through the TP  221  as in the example 1. 
         [0128]    Then, when using the endoscopes, users select a table that is to be used at that time from the plurality of the display format tables by using the TP  221 . 
         [0129]    By preparing the display format tables as described above, it becomes unnecessary to perform setting for each of the procedures or users, which reduces the time used for the preparation for the operation. 
         [0130]    The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various alterations and modifications are allowed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.