JP2002085354A - Information display method and device, record medium and ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display additional information without any hindrance to observation of an image. SOLUTION: A score corresponding to the significance is defined by each type of an image, a screen is divided into plural areas, the score is obtained for each area according to the type of an image displayed in the area, and information 180 is additionally displayed in the area with the lowest significance indicated by the scores.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information display method and apparatus, a recording medium, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus.
An information display method and apparatus for additionally displaying information on a screen displaying an image, a recording medium recording a program for realizing such an information display function in a computer, and a recording medium storing such a program The present invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus provided with an information display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In ultrasonic imaging, a tomographic image is photographed by using an echo of an ultrasonic wave transmitted into an object, and the image is displayed as a B-mode (mode) image. In addition, Doppler shift of ultrasonic echo (Doppler shift)
A dynamic image of a blood flow or the like is photographed by using the image and displayed as a color Doppler (color Doppler) image.

[0003] For a display image, a region of interest (ROI:
The size or the like of Region of Interest is measured or calculated, and the value is additionally displayed on the same screen. The display position of the additional information is usually fixed in advance.

[0004]

If the display position of the additional information is fixed and the position of the region of interest or the like happens to overlap with the display position of the additional information, the additional information is displayed on top of the additional information. And obstruct the observation of the region of interest and the like.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information display method and apparatus for displaying additional information without interfering with image observation, a recording medium storing a program for realizing such an information display function in a computer, and An object of the present invention is to realize an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including such an information display device.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) According to one aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems, when information is additionally displayed on a screen displaying an image, the degree of importance corresponds to the degree of importance. A score is defined for each type of image, the screen is divided into a plurality of regions, and a score for each region is obtained according to the type of image displayed in the region. The importance indicated by the obtained score is An information display method characterized by additionally displaying information in a lowest area.

In the invention according to this aspect, a score for each area is obtained in accordance with the type of image displayed in the area, and information is additionally displayed in the area having the lowest importance indicated by the score. It is possible to prevent additional information from being superimposed and displayed on a region of high importance in which a region of interest or the like exists.

(2) The invention according to another aspect for solving the above problem is characterized in that the score for each area is the sum of the scores for each image displayed in the area ( This is an information display method described in 1).

In the invention according to this aspect, since the score of the region is obtained as the sum of the scores of the images displayed in the region, it is possible to obtain a score that more appropriately expresses the importance of the region.

(3) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problem, the information includes a measured value related to the image, and the information display according to (1) or (2). Is the way.

In the invention from this viewpoint, since the information includes the measured value relating to the image, the measured value relating to the image can be additionally displayed without any trouble in observing the image. (4) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problem, the image includes an ultrasonic imaging image, wherein the image includes an ultrasonic imaging image. Is an information display method.

In the invention according to this aspect, since the image includes the ultrasonic image, the additional information can be displayed without hindrance to the observation of the ultrasonic image. (5) An invention according to another aspect for solving the above-described problem is an image display unit having a screen for displaying an image, a score defining unit for defining a score corresponding to importance for each type of image, Screen dividing means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, score calculating means for obtaining a score for each area according to the type of image displayed in the area, and the lowest degree of importance indicated by the obtained score An information display device comprising: an information display unit that additionally displays information in an area.

In the invention according to this aspect, a score for each area is obtained in accordance with the type of image displayed in the area, and information is additionally displayed in the area having the lowest importance indicated by the score. It is possible to prevent additional information from being superimposed and displayed on a region of high importance in which a region of interest or the like exists.

(6) In another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the score calculation means obtains a score for each area as a sum of scores for each image displayed in the area. (5) The information display device according to (5).

In the invention according to this aspect, since the score of the region is obtained as the sum of the scores of the images displayed in the region, it is possible to obtain a score that more appropriately expresses the importance of the region.

(7) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the information includes a measured value related to the image, and the information display according to (5) or (6). Device.

In the invention according to this aspect, since the information includes the measured value related to the image, the measured value related to the image can be additionally displayed without any trouble in observing the image. (8) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problem, the image includes an ultrasonic imaging image, wherein the image includes an ultrasonic imaging image. Information display device.

In the invention according to this aspect, since the image includes the ultrasonic image, the additional information can be displayed without hindrance to the observation of the ultrasonic image. (9) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problem, when information is additionally displayed on a screen displaying an image, a score corresponding to importance is defined for each type of image. Dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, obtaining a score for each area according to the type of image displayed in the area, and additionally adding information to the area having the lowest importance indicated by the obtained score. A recording medium characterized by recording a program for displaying a function to be realized by a computer in a computer-readable manner.

In the invention according to this aspect, the program recorded on the recording medium obtains a score for each area according to the type of image displayed in the area, and adds the score to the area having the lowest importance indicated by the score. Since the computer is provided with a function of displaying information in a specific manner, it is possible to prevent additional information from being superimposed and displayed on a region of high importance where a region of interest or the like exists.

(10) The invention according to another aspect for solving the above problem is characterized in that the score for each area is the sum of the scores for the images displayed in the area ( A recording medium according to 9).

In the invention according to this aspect, since the score of the region is obtained as the sum of the scores of the images displayed in the region, it is possible to obtain a score that more appropriately expresses the importance of the region.

(11) A recording medium according to (9) or (10), wherein the information according to another aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem includes that the information includes a measured value relating to the image. It is.

In the invention according to this aspect, since the information includes the measured value relating to the image, the measured value relating to the image can be additionally displayed without any trouble in observing the image. (12) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problem, the image includes an ultrasonic imaging image, wherein the image includes an ultrasonic imaging image. Recording medium.

In the invention according to this aspect, since the image includes the ultrasonic image, the additional information can be displayed without hindrance to the observation of the ultrasonic image. (13) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic imaging apparatus configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave and form an image based on the echo reception signal, and to display the image. Image display means having a screen, score defining means for defining a score corresponding to importance for each type of image, screen dividing means for dividing the screen into a plurality of regions, A score calculation unit for obtaining a score for each region according to the type; and an information display unit for additionally displaying information in a region having the lowest importance indicated by the obtained score. It is a sound wave imaging device.

In the invention according to this aspect, a score for each area is obtained according to the type of image displayed in the area, and information is additionally displayed in the area having the lowest importance indicated by the score. It is possible to prevent additional information from being superimposed and displayed on a region of high importance in which a region of interest or the like exists.

(14) In another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the score calculation means obtains a score for each area as a sum of scores for images displayed in the area. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to (13), wherein:

In the invention according to this aspect, since the score of the region is obtained as the sum of the scores of the images displayed in the region, it is possible to obtain a score that more appropriately expresses the importance of the region.

(15) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the information includes a measurement value relating to the image, and the ultrasonic wave according to (13) or (14), It is a photographing device.

In the invention according to this aspect, since the information includes the measured value relating to the image, the measured value relating to the image can be additionally displayed without any trouble in observing the image.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus. This device is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the present apparatus shows an example of an embodiment relating to the apparatus of the present invention. An example of an embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown by the operation of the present apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present apparatus has an ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasound probe 2 has an array of a plurality of ultrasound transducers (not shown). Each ultrasonic transducer is made of a piezoelectric material such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate (Zr)) ceramics. The ultrasonic probe 2 is used in contact with the object 4 by an operator.

The ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to a transmission / reception unit 6. The transmission / reception unit 6 supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 to transmit ultrasonic waves. The transmitting / receiving unit 6 also receives the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the transmission / reception section 6. As shown in the figure, the transmission / reception unit 6 transmits a signal
ing) generating unit 602. The transmission timing generation unit 602 periodically generates a transmission timing signal to transmit a transmission beamformer (beamf).
(ormer) 604. The cycle of the transmission timing signal is controlled by the control unit 18 described later.

The transmission beamformer 604 performs beamforming of transmission, and generates a beamforming signal for forming an ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction based on a transmission timing signal. The beam forming signal is composed of a plurality of drive signals to which a time difference corresponding to the azimuth is given. Beam forming is controlled by the control unit 18 described later. The transmission beamformer 604 inputs a transmission beamforming signal to the transmission / reception switching unit 606.

The transmission / reception switching unit 606 inputs a beam forming signal to the ultrasonic transducer array. In the ultrasonic transducer array, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers constituting a transmission aperture each generate an ultrasonic wave having a phase difference corresponding to a time difference of a drive signal. By the wavefront synthesis of the ultrasonic waves, an ultrasonic beam is formed along a sound ray in a predetermined direction.

The transmission / reception switching unit 606 is connected to a reception beam former 610. Transmission / reception switching unit 60
6 is a receiving beamformer 6 which receives a plurality of echo signals received by the receiving aperture in the ultrasonic transducer array.
Enter 10 The reception beamformer 610 performs beamforming of a reception wave corresponding to a sound ray of a transmission wave, adjusts the phase by giving a time difference to a plurality of reception echoes, and then adds them to obtain sound in a predetermined direction. Form the echo reception signal along the line. The receiving beamforming is controlled by the control unit 18 described later.

The transmission of the ultrasonic beam is repeatedly performed at predetermined time intervals by a transmission timing signal generated by the transmission timing generation unit 602. At the same time, the direction of the sound ray is changed by a predetermined amount by the transmission beam former 604 and the reception beam former 610.
Thereby, the inside of the object 4 is sequentially scanned by the sound ray. The transmitting / receiving unit 6 having such a configuration is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The scanning as shown in FIG. That is, a fan-shaped two-dimensional area 206 is scanned in the θ direction by a sound ray 202 extending in the z direction from the radiation point 200, and a so-called sector scan (secto scan) is performed.
r scan).

When the transmitting and receiving apertures are formed by using a part of the ultrasonic transducer array, the apertures are sequentially moved along the array to perform scanning as shown in FIG. 4, for example. Can be.
That is, the sound ray 202 emitted from the radiation point 200 in the z direction
Is moved in parallel along the linear trajectory 204, thereby scanning the rectangular two-dimensional area 206 in the x-direction, thereby performing a so-called linear scan.

The ultrasonic transducer array is
A so-called convex array (convex array) formed along an arc extending in the ultrasonic wave transmission direction.
In the case of y), the radiation point 2 of the sound ray 202 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is needless to say that so-called convex scanning can be performed by moving 00 along the arc-shaped trajectory 204 and scanning the fan-shaped two-dimensional area 206 in the θ direction.

The transmission / reception unit 6 is connected to a B-mode (mode) processing unit 10 and a Doppler processing unit 12. The echo reception signal for each sound ray output from the transmission / reception unit 6 is B
The data is input to the mode processing unit 10 and the Doppler processing unit 12.

The B-mode processing section 10 forms B-mode image data. As shown in FIG. 6, the B-mode processing unit 10 includes a logarithmic amplification unit 102 and an envelope detection unit 104. The B-mode processing unit 10 logarithmically amplifies the echo reception signal in the logarithmic amplification unit 102, performs envelope detection in the envelope detection unit 104, and indicates a signal representing the intensity of the echo at each reflection point on the sound ray, that is, the A scope A (scope) signal is obtained, and B-mode image data is formed using the instantaneous amplitude of the A scope signal as a luminance value.

The Doppler processing section 12 forms Doppler image data. The Doppler image data includes flow velocity data, dispersion data, and power data described below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the Doppler processing unit 12 includes a quadrature detection unit 120, an MTI filter (mov
ing target indication fill
ter) 122, an autocorrelation operation unit 124, an average flow velocity operation unit 126, a dispersion operation unit 128, and a power operation unit 130.

The Doppler processing section 12 performs quadrature detection on the echo reception signal with the quadrature detection unit 120 and performs MTI processing with the MTI filter 122 to obtain the Doppler shift of the echo signal. Further, an autocorrelation operation unit 124 performs an autocorrelation operation on the output signal of the MTI filter 122,
The average flow velocity calculation unit 126 calculates the average flow velocity V from the autocorrelation calculation result, and the variance calculation unit 128 calculates the flow velocity variance T from the autocorrelation calculation result.
At 30, the power PW of the Doppler signal from the autocorrelation calculation result
Ask for. Hereinafter, the average flow velocity is simply referred to as a flow velocity. Also,
The dispersion of the flow velocity is simply called dispersion, and the power of the Doppler signal is also simply called power.

The Doppler processing unit 12 obtains, for each sound ray, data representing the flow velocity V, variance T, and power PW of the echo source moving within the object 4. These data show the flow velocity, variance, and power of each point (pixel) on the sound ray. The flow velocity is obtained as a component in the sound ray direction. Further, a direction approaching the ultrasonic probe 2 and a direction away from the ultrasonic probe 2 are distinguished.

The B-mode processing unit 10 and the Doppler processing unit 12 are connected to an image processing unit 14. Image processing unit 1
Reference numeral 4 configures a B-mode image and a Doppler image based on data input from the B-mode processing unit 10 and the Doppler processing unit 12, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8, the image processing section 14 has a central processing unit (CPU: Cent).
eral Processing Unit) 140. A main memory (main memory) 14 is provided to the CPU 140 via a bus (bus) 142.
4, external memory 146, control unit interface (in
148), input data memory (data)
memory) 152, Digital Scan Converter (DSC)
ter) 154, image memory 156, and display memory 158.
Is connected.

The program executed by the CPU 140 is stored in the external memory 146. External memory 146
In addition, various data used by the CPU 140 when executing the program are also stored.

The CPU 140 performs predetermined image processing by loading a program from the external memory 146 into the main memory 144 and executing the program. External memory 14
The program stored in 6 also causes the CPU 140 to realize an information display function described later. The CPU 140 exchanges control signals with the later-described control unit 18 through the control unit interface 148 in the course of executing the program.

The B-mode image data and the Doppler image data input for each sound ray from the B-mode processing unit 10 and the Doppler processing unit 12 are stored in the input data memory 152, respectively. The data in the input data memory 152 is scan-converted by the DSC 154 and stored in the image memory 156. The data in the image memory 156 is output to the display unit 16 through the display memory 158.

The display unit 16 is connected to the image processing unit 14. The display unit 16 is provided with an image signal from the image processing unit 14 and displays an image based on the image signal. The display unit 16 has a graphic display (graphi) capable of displaying a color image.
c display).

The portion comprising the image processing section 14 and the display section 16 is an example of the embodiment of the information display device of the present invention. The configuration of the present apparatus shows an example of an embodiment relating to the apparatus of the present invention. An example of an embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown by the operation of the present apparatus. The display unit 16 is an example of an embodiment of an image display unit according to the present invention.

The transmitting / receiving unit 6, the B-mode processing unit 10,
Doppler processing unit 12, image processing unit 14, and display unit 16
Is connected to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 supplies a control signal to each of these units to control the operation. Various notification signals are input to the control unit 18 from each controlled unit. Under the control of the control unit 18, the B mode operation and the Doppler mode operation are performed.

An operation unit 20 is connected to the control unit 18. The operation unit 20 is operated by the operator, and the control unit 18
, An appropriate command or information is input. The operation unit 20 includes, for example, a keyboard (keyboard) and a pointing device (pointing device).
e) and an operation panel equipped with other operation tools (pan
el).

The photographing operation of the present apparatus will be described. The operator touches the ultrasonic probe 2 to a desired portion of the target 4 and operates the operation unit 20 to perform, for example, a shooting operation using both the B mode and the Doppler mode. Thus, under the control of the control unit 18, the B mode shooting and the Doppler mode shooting are performed in a time sharing manner. In other words, for example, a mixed scan of the B mode and the Doppler mode is performed at a rate of performing the B mode scan once every time the Doppler mode scan is performed a predetermined number of times.

In the B mode, the transmission / reception unit 6 scans the inside of the object 4 in the order of sound rays through the ultrasonic probe 2 and receives the echo one by one. The B-mode processing unit 10
The echo reception signal input from the transmission / reception unit 6 is logarithmically amplified by the logarithmic amplification unit 102 and envelope-detected by the envelope detection unit 104 to obtain an A-scope signal, based on which the B-mode image data for each sound ray is formed. .

The image processing section 14 stores the B-mode image data for each sound ray input from the B-mode processing section 10 in the input data memory 152. As a result, a sound ray data space for B-mode image data is formed in the input data memory 152.

In the Doppler mode, the transmission / reception section 6 scans the inside of the object 4 in the order of sound rays through the ultrasonic probe 2 and receives the echo one by one. At this time, transmission of ultrasonic waves and reception of echoes are performed a plurality of times per sound ray.

The Doppler processing unit 12 performs quadrature detection on the echo reception signal with the quadrature detection unit 120, performs MTI processing with the MTI filter 122, obtains autocorrelation with the autocorrelation calculation unit 124, and calculates a flow velocity calculation unit 126 from the autocorrelation result. , The variance T is obtained by the variance operation unit 128, and the power PW is obtained by the power operation unit 130. These calculated values are the speed of the echo source,
The data represents variance and power for each sound ray and for each pixel.

The image processing unit 14 stores the Doppler image data for each sound ray and each pixel input from the Doppler processing unit 12 in the input data memory 152. As a result, a sound ray data space for each Doppler image data is formed in the input data memory 152.

The CPU 140 has an input data memory 152
B mode image data and each Doppler image data
In SC 154, each of them is scan-converted and written in the image memory 156.

At this time, the Doppler image data is flow velocity distribution image data combining the flow velocity V and the variance T, and the power PW
Are written as power Doppler image data using the variance T or power Doppler image data with the variance T combined with the power PW and the variance T, respectively.

The CPU 140 writes the B-mode image data and each Doppler image data in separate areas. An image based on the B-mode image data and each Doppler image data is displayed on the display unit 16.

The B-mode image shows a tomographic image of the body tissue on the sound ray scanning plane. Among the color Doppler images, the flow velocity distribution image is an image showing a two-dimensional distribution of the flow velocity of the echo source. In this image, the display color is changed in accordance with the direction of flow, the brightness of the display color is changed in accordance with the flow velocity, and the color mixing amount of a predetermined color is increased in accordance with the variance to change the purity of the display color.

The power Doppler image is an image showing a two-dimensional distribution of the power of the Doppler signal. This image indicates the location of the moving echo source. The brightness of the display color of the image corresponds to the power. When the dispersion is combined with the dispersion, the color mixture amount of a predetermined color is increased according to the dispersion to change the purity of the display color.

The variance image is an image showing a two-dimensional distribution of variance values. This image also shows the location of the moving echo source. The brightness of the display color corresponds to the magnitude of the variance. To display these images on the display unit 16, the display memory 1
By combining with the B-mode image at 58 and displaying the combined image on the display unit 16, a color Doppler image with a clear positional relationship with the body tissue can be observed.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of a screen displaying such an image. As shown in FIG.
Shows a B-mode image 16 taken by a sector scan.
2 is displayed. On the B-mode image 162, a color Doppler image 164 is displayed. However, the color Doppler image 164 is represented by the boundary of the display area.

The region of interest (RO) in the B-mode image 162
I: Region of Interest) 168, and measurement cursors 172, 1
74 is displayed. Cursor for measurement (curso
r) 172 and 174 can be freely moved by an operator through a pointing device.

In the margin of the screen 160, the B-mode image 16
Gray scale (gray sc)
ale) 176 and user comments (user c)
178) is displayed.

In such a screen, when the operator determines the position of the measurement cursors 172 and 174 and inputs, for example, a command (command) for measuring the distance between the measurement cursors 172 and 174, the image processing unit 14 The distance is measured by the operation of the CPU 140, and the result is displayed on the screen.

The measurement result is displayed at a place on the screen where the observation of the displayed image is least obstructed, through a display place selection process as described below. Hereinafter, such information display will be described.

In order to enable the selection of the display location, the screen 160 is divided in advance into 12 equal-area regions A1 to A12 as shown in FIG. In response to such a screen division, the image processing unit 14 generates a screen division table (tabl) indicating a correspondence between a pixel address (pixeladdress) on the screen and an area to which the pixel address belongs.
e) is stored.

The screen division table is an example of the embodiment of the screen division means in the present invention. In addition, the mode of the division and the number of divisions are not limited to those shown in the figure, and may be arbitrary. Less than,
Although an example of 12 sections having the same area will be described, the same applies to other sections.

In order to enable selection of the display location, a score (sc) indicating the importance of each image type
ore) is defined. The correspondence between the image type and the score is, for example, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG.
e) In other words, the maximum value 5 of the six-stage score is given to the image photographed by the ultrasonic wave. The image is a B-mode image or a color Doppler image. In addition, instead of giving a uniform score to an image, a lower score is generally given to a place where the operator is less interested, such as a portion having a uniform density or a lowermost portion of the image. Is also good.

A score of 3 is given to the Doppler cursor.
The Doppler cursor is a cursor for designating a location where a Doppler signal is observed on the screen. CFM area cursor (Color Flow Mapping Area)
(ursor) is also given a score of 3. The CFM area cursor is a cursor for designating an area for displaying a color Doppler image on the screen. In FIG. 9, the contour of the color Doppler image 164 corresponds to the cursor.

The score 3 is also given to the measurement cursor. The measurement cursor is, for example, the measurement cursor 1 shown in FIG.
72, 174, which are cursors for designating measurement ranges such as distance and area.

A score 1 is given to a user comment.
The user comment is a character, a number, or the like input by the operator on the screen. For other images, a score corresponding to the degree of importance is given. Then, a score of 0 is given to a blank portion having no image.

A score table indicating a score for each type of image is stored in the image processing unit 14. The score table is an example of an embodiment of the score defining means in the present invention.

Here, a score having a larger value is given as the degree of importance is increased. Conversely, a score with a smaller value is given as the degree of importance increases. In short, it is only necessary that the importance and the score correspond. The score level is not limited to six, and may be any value. Hereinafter, a description will be given of an example of a six-stage score in which the value increases as the degree of importance increases, but the same applies to other cases.

FIG. 12 shows the relationship between each area on the screen 160 and the displayed image. Dashed lines indicate areas. However, this is not displayed on the screen. In FIG.
FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of an operation of the image processing unit 14 when performing additional display of a measurement result. As shown in the figure, at step (step) 302, the screen classification table is read. As a result, the screen division table representing the screen division shown in FIG. 10 is read.

Next, in step 304, the score table is read. As a result, the score table shown in FIG. 11 is read. Next, in step 306, a score is calculated for each region. That is, the areas A1 to A12
In each case, the image displayed therein is examined, and the score of the image is calculated for each region. The display image is referred to the display memory 158. The image processing unit 14 that performs the score calculation in step 306 is an example of an embodiment of the score calculation unit in the present invention.

As a result, a score calculation result as shown in FIG. 14 is obtained. As shown in the figure, the score of the area A1 becomes 1 because the user comment is displayed. The area A2 has a score of 5 because the image, that is, the B-mode image is displayed. Area A3
Has a score of 0 because it is blank.

In the area A4, since a part of the gray scale and the B-mode image is displayed, the score becomes 6 as the sum of the gray scale score 1 and the image score 5. In the area A5, since the B-mode image and the color Doppler image are displayed, the score 8 is obtained as the sum of the score 5 of the image and the score 3 of the CFM cursor. In the area A6, the score becomes 5 because a part of the B-mode image is displayed.

The area A7 has a score of 6 because a part of the gray scale and a part of the B-mode image are displayed. In the area A8, since the B-mode image, the color Doppler image, and the measurement cursor are displayed, a score 11 is obtained as the sum of the image score 5, the CFM cursor score 3, and the measurement cursor score 3. In the area A9, the score becomes 5 because a part of the B-mode image is displayed.

In the area A10, the score becomes 5 because a part of the B-mode image is displayed. Area A11
Since the B-mode image and the measurement cursor are displayed, the score 8 is obtained as the sum of the score 5 of the image and the score 3 of the measurement cursor. Area A12
Indicates that the score is 5 because a part of the B-mode image is displayed.

In this way, the score of each area is obtained. The score is a numerical value indicating the importance of the region. The degree of importance is highest in the area A8 where the score is 11. In this area, a B-mode image, a color Doppler image, and a measurement cursor are displayed, and it can be said that this area is the most important area where the most information is concentrated.

Next, in step 308, the area Ak having the smallest score is selected. The region Ak with the smallest score is the region with the lowest importance. Therefore, in step 308, the least important area is selected. Here, since the score of the area A3 is 0 and the minimum, the area A3
Is selected. That is, Ak = A3.

When using a score whose value decreases as the importance increases, the region with the lowest importance has the largest score, and the selection condition in this case is the region having the maximum value of the score.

Next, at step 310, the measurement result is displayed in the area A3. Thereby, as shown in FIG.
The measurement result 180 is displayed in the blank area A3 of the screen. The image processing unit 14 and the display unit 16 that display the measurement result in step 310 are an example of an embodiment of the information display unit in the present invention.

As described above, since the measurement result 180 is displayed in the blank portion of the screen, this display is performed by displaying the B-mode image 162, the color Doppler image 164, the region of interest 168,
There is no hindrance to observing the measurement cursors 172, 174 and the like.

The above is an example in which the area A3 has the minimum score because it is blank. However, if any area displays some image or information and there is no blank area, even if the score is not 0, The measurement result is displayed in an area having the smallest score relatively. As a result, the measurement result 180 is displayed in the region of relatively lowest importance, so that obstruction of observation of the image of most interest is avoided.

As described above, the area having the lowest importance is automatically selected and the additional information is displayed. Therefore, even if the shape or the position of the display image changes variously, the area having the least hindrance will be displayed. Additional information can be displayed.

When a plurality of areas are the least important areas having the same score, additional information may be displayed in any of the areas. For example, the additional information may be displayed in a smaller or larger area number. Rule (r
ule) may be determined in advance.

In order to reduce the possibility that the least important region having the same score becomes plural, the score may be modified according to the ratio of the blank portion in the region. In other words, when the minimum score is used as a condition for selecting an area, for example, when the ratio of the blank portion is 50% or more, 0.
Score modification such as subtracting 5 points is performed, and when the maximum score is used as a condition for region selection, score modification such as adding 0.5 is performed.

If the least important area is not blank and information is partially displayed, the display position of the additional information is set to a blank area by avoiding the place where the information is already displayed. Display position adjustment such as display may be performed.

A program for causing a computer to implement the information display function as described above is recorded on a recording medium so as to be readable by the computer. As the recording medium, for example, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, and other appropriate recording media are used.
The recording medium may be a semiconductor storage medium. In this document, a storage medium is synonymous with a recording medium.

In the above, an example has been described in which information indicating the measurement result is additionally displayed on the display screen of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus. However, the information to be additionally displayed is not limited to the measurement result, but may be other appropriate information. Good.

The display image is not limited to an ultrasonic image, but may be, for example, an X-ray CT (Computed To
MRI (magnetic) device and MRI (magnetic)
It may be an image captured by a Resonance Imaging device. In addition, not limited to such medical images, for example, CG (Computer Graphic)
It may be another appropriate image such as an image.

[0100]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an information display method and apparatus for displaying additional information without obstructing image observation, and a program for realizing such an information display function in a computer A recording medium on which is recorded
In addition, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including such an information display device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transmission / reception unit in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of sound ray scanning by the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of sound ray scanning by the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of sound ray scanning by the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a B-mode processing unit in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a part of a Doppler processing unit in the apparatus shown in FIG.

8 is a block diagram of an image processing unit in the device shown in FIG.

9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of a display unit in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of screen divisions.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence between image types and scores.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between screen divisions and display images.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of image processing.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a calculation result of a score for each region.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between screen divisions and display images.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Ultrasonic probe 4 Target 6 Transmitter / receiver 10 B-mode processor 12 Doppler processor 14 Image processor 16 Display 18 Controller 20 Operation unit 140 CPU 142 Bus 144 Main memory 146 External memory 148 Control unit interface 152 Input data memory 154 DSC 156 Image memory 158 Display memory 160 Screen 162 B-mode image 164 Color Doppler image 168 ROI 172,174 Measurement cursor 176 Gray scale 178 User comment 180 Measurement result

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G06F 3/14 310 A61B 5/05 380 G06T 1/00 290 G01N 24/02 520Y (72) Inventor Ikuo Kato Hino, Tokyo 127 Gee Yokogawa Medical System Co., Ltd., 4-7 Asahigaoka, Ichigo F-term (reference) 4C096 AB50 DC23 DC24 DC28 DC32 DC33 DD07 DD09 DD13 FC16 4C301 AA02 BB01 BB02 CC02 DD01 DD02 EE20 GB06 HH16 HH17 HH24 HH37 JH54 JB36 KK02 KK12 KK14 KK22 KK24 KK27 KK30 LL02 LL04 5B057 AA07 BA05 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC02 CE06 CE08 CH09 DB02 DB09 DC14 DC22 DC34 5B069 AA10 CA02 FA06 FA09

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. When information is additionally displayed on a screen displaying an image, a score corresponding to importance is defined for each type of image, the screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and An information display method comprising: obtaining a score for each area according to the type of a displayed image; and additionally displaying information in an area having the lowest importance indicated by the obtained score. 2. The information display method according to claim 1, wherein the score for each area is a sum of scores for each image displayed in the area. 3. The information display method according to claim 1, wherein the information includes a measurement value regarding the image. 4. The information display method according to claim 1, wherein the image includes an ultrasonic image. 5. Image display means having a screen for displaying an image, score defining means for defining a score corresponding to importance for each type of image, screen dividing means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, Score calculation means for obtaining a score for each area according to the type of image displayed in the area, information display means for additionally displaying information in an area having the lowest importance indicated by the obtained score, An information display device comprising: 6. The information display device according to claim 5, wherein said score calculation means obtains a score for each area as a sum of scores for images displayed in the area. 7. The information display device according to claim 5, wherein the information includes a measurement value regarding the image. 8. The information display device according to claim 5, wherein the image includes an ultrasonic image. 9. When information is additionally displayed on a screen displaying an image, a score corresponding to importance is defined for each type of image, the screen is divided into a plurality of regions, A computer-readable program that obtains a score for each area according to the type of displayed image, and additionally displays information in an area with the lowest importance indicated by the obtained score, is read by the computer. A recording medium recorded as possible. 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the score for each area is a sum of the scores for each image displayed in the area. 11. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the information includes a measurement value related to the image. 12. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the image includes an ultrasonic image. 13. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to form an image based on an echo reception signal thereof, comprising: an image display means having a screen for displaying the image; and a score corresponding to the importance. Score defining means for defining each image type, screen dividing means for dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, score calculating means for obtaining a score for each area according to the type of image displayed in the area, And an information display means for additionally displaying information in an area having the lowest importance indicated by the obtained score. 14. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said score calculation means obtains a score for each area as a sum of scores for each image displayed in the area. 15. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information includes a measurement value regarding the image.