JP2000139889A - Image collecting device, x-ray image collecting device, its method and computer-readable storing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability and to prevent deterioration of a solid-state image pickup element in the case of executing X-ray image pickup by making the solid-state image pickup element in a driving state. SOLUTION: When an operator selects the photographed position of a subject by the photographed position setting button of a display part 4, the solid-state image pickup element 2 is driven, a timer is started and a photographing condition, an image processing parameter, etc., according to the selected position is automatically set in addition. When an exposure button 7 is pressed within ten min e.g. that is before time out of the timer 6, an X-ray generator control part 9 photographs the subject 1 by exposing it to X-rays from an X-ray tube 3. When the button 7 is not pressed within ten minutes, the driving of the element 2 is stopped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image acquisition apparatus, an X-ray image acquisition apparatus, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium used for capturing an image by driving a solid-state imaging device in a driving state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the medical field, image diagnosis has been called X
This refers to observing the film image taken on a line on a shakasten. However, a normal X-ray film is set so as to provide a contrast of about 1.0 to 1.5D in a density range that is easy to observe so as to pursue ease of observation of a diagnostic site. If it shifts slightly,
Immediately overexposure or underexposure may adversely affect diagnosis based on image interpretation. In particular, at the time of divided photographing, since the subject contrast and the purpose of diagnosis are different for each diagnostic part of each divided part on the film, various efforts are made to obtain an image to be photographed.

On the other hand, with the development of computers in recent years,
Computerization has also become widespread in the medical field. This trend is also rapid in the field of diagnostic imaging, and various CT
There is a remarkable spread in the use of diagnostic equipment using ultrasound, ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, and radioisotopes. Then, a concept called "comprehensive image diagnosis" has emerged in which various diagnostic devices are connected by a computer to comprehensively diagnose various modality images. However, an X-ray film image is essentially an analog image, and although it is most frequently used in image diagnosis and is regarded as important, it cannot be successfully applied to comprehensive image diagnosis. It was an obstacle to computerization in the field.

However, in recent years, X-ray photography using a solid-state imaging device or the like has been developed, and digital reading and photography of X-ray images using a computer have also started gradually for X-ray images. The use of this X-ray image digital photographing apparatus makes it possible to adjust the contrast of an image that has already been photographed and to re-take a failed photograph.

[0005]

However, the above X
In the digital X-ray imaging apparatus, the X-ray technician must input all the various imaging instructions such as the above-described imaging conditions via a computer. Had a problem with the operability during shooting.

Particularly, in a digital photographing apparatus using a solid-state image pickup device, photographing is performed while the solid-state image pickup device is driven.
It is necessary to control the driving of the image pickup device before photographing. In addition, in the state just after the driving state, the state of the solid-state imaging device is not stable, and there is often a delay time of several seconds to several tens of seconds before shooting with stable image quality, so shooting is performed immediately. Can not do. A method of always driving the imaging device to take a picture immediately is conceivable, but it is known that driving the solid-state imaging device constantly shortens the life of the device. For this reason, the operator must turn on and off the driving state in accordance with the shooting operation, and after turning on, the operator must wait for the delay time. This has caused the operator trouble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An operator who is unfamiliar with a computer or an operator who is unfamiliar with an apparatus is required to use an X-ray imaging device.
An object of the present invention is to make it easy to use a line digital image acquisition device without much consideration of its characteristics by an operator.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image collecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image pickup means for photographing a subject image, and an instruction means for instructing photographing, and drives the image pickup means. An image collecting apparatus for performing image capturing in a state, wherein the information input means inputs information necessary for image capturing, and the image capturing apparatus drives the image capturing means in response to predetermined information being input to the information input means. And a control means for setting the state.

Further, the X-ray image collecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
An X-ray generating unit that irradiates the subject with X-rays, an imaging unit that uses a solid-state imaging device that captures an X-ray image transmitted through the subject, a site setting unit that sets an imaging site of the subject, An emission permitting means for permitting the X-ray emission to the X-ray generating means, and a driving state of the imaging means according to the setting by the setting means. A characteristic feature is that control means is provided for setting the imaging means to a non-driving state when there is no irradiation.

An image collecting method according to the present invention is an image collecting method in which an image pickup means for photographing a subject image is driven to perform photographing, wherein a procedure for inputting information necessary for photographing, And setting the imaging unit to a driving state when the above information is input.

[0011] The X-ray image acquisition method according to the present invention includes:
A procedure for setting an imaging region of the subject, a procedure for driving the imaging unit using the solid-state imaging device after the setting, and a procedure for permitting X-ray emission after the driving state is set,
X-rays are radiated when instructed, and an X-ray image transmitted through the subject is imaged by the imaging means. When the X-rays are not irradiated within a predetermined time after the setting,
And a step of setting the imaging means in a non-driving state.

Further, the computer readable storage medium according to the present invention is a computer readable storage medium storing a program for driving an image pickup means for photographing a subject image and driving the image pickup means. This is characterized in that a program for executing a process of inputting appropriate information and a process of setting the imaging unit to a driving state when the predetermined information is input are stored.

The computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention includes a process for setting an imaging region of a subject, a process for driving an imaging unit using a solid-state imaging device after the setting, and a process for setting the driving status. After the setting, a process of permitting X-ray exposure, a process of emitting X-rays when instructed, and capturing an X-ray image transmitted through the subject by the imaging unit, It is characterized in that a program for executing a process of setting the imaging means to a non-driving state when the X-ray is not irradiated within a predetermined time is stored.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to an X-ray image digital photographing apparatus. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an X-ray image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention. The operator places the subject 1 between the solid-state imaging device 2 and the X-ray tube 3. Next, the operator presses a part setting button displayed on the display unit 4 to set a part to be imaged. With this operation, the image reading control unit 5 in the image reading device 100 applies a voltage to the solid-state imaging device 2 according to the solid-state imaging device drive control signal, and prepares for the solid-state imaging device 2 to be ready for image input. At the same time, the internal timer 6 is started.

Next, when the exposure button 7 is pressed, the exposure signal A
Is input to the image reading control unit 5 once. In response to this, the image reading control unit 5 checks whether or not the solid-state imaging device 2 is ready to form an image when receiving the X-rays, based on the state of the drive notification signal from the solid-state imaging device 2, and then performs the emission permission. Generate a signal. Thereby, the exposure permission switch 8 is turned on, and the exposure signal A is applied to the X-ray generator controller 9 as the exposure signal B. The X-ray generator control unit 9 generates an irradiation signal C as soon as the preparation for X-ray irradiation is completed, whereby X-rays are generated from the X-ray tube 3. The exposure signal A uses a switch called a second switch.

The X-ray transmitted through the subject 1 is transmitted through the grid 10 and the scintillator 11 to the solid-state imaging device 2.
Is input as an image. Read this image and A / D
The data is digitized by the converter 12 and transferred to the image reading control unit 5.

The image reading control section 5 is managed by the CPU 13. The CPU 13 includes a RAM 14, a ROM 1
5, a LAN / IF 16, a DISK / IF 17, a non-volatile storage device 18, a user IF unit 19 and the like via a bus 20. The display unit 4, the keyboard and the mouse 21 are connected to the user IF unit 19 to provide an interface with the user. Non-volatile storage device 1
For example, a hard disk is used as 8. The image input to the image reading control unit 5 is temporarily placed on the RAM 14, and various processes are performed by the CPU 13.

FIG. 2 shows the display on the display unit 4. When taking an image, the operator selects a part to be imaged from now on with the part setting button 41.
The part setting button 41 is in a non-selected state before the start of imaging, and is set to a selected state when pressed by an operator. If the selected part setting button 41 is incorrect, the user can select another part by pressing a different part setting button 41.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing when the above-mentioned part setting button 41 is pressed. When the desired part setting button 41 is pressed, the default values of the image processing parameters of the image processing to be taken and collected are determined, and the default values of the parameters of the imaging conditions are determined. Of course, the default tube setting is performed. Further, by pressing the region setting button 41, the solid-state imaging device 2 is driven by the solid-state imaging device drive control signal in FIG. 1, and the timer 6 in the image reading control unit 5 is started.

After the solid-state imaging device 2 is driven, it waits for a delay time of several seconds to several tens of seconds until a stable image quality is output, and then sends a drive notification signal to the image reading control unit 5. . In response, an exposure permission signal is output from the image reading control unit 5, and the exposure permission switch 8 is turned on, so that the second switch can be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the exposure permission switch 8 is not located in the image reading apparatus 100 but in the image reading apparatus 1.
There is also a case where it is incorporated integrally with the outside of the 00, for example, the exposure button 7 and the X-ray generator control unit 9. In this case, the image reading apparatus 100 notifies the outside of the exposure permission signal. The signal indicating whether or not the irradiation has been performed can be determined by the image reading apparatus 100 using the irradiation signal A from the irradiation button 7.

After the exposure permission switch 8 is turned on, the user is notified via the user 1F unit 19 via the display unit 4 that the exposure is possible. For example, the notification is performed when the background color inside the display unit 4 is changed from blue to green.

Next, the operation of the timer 6 will be described. Each time the user presses the part setting button 41, the timer 6
The counting is started from 0, and when a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes has elapsed, the image reading control unit 5 is notified. As a result, the image reading control unit 5 releases the driving state of the solid-state imaging device 2, releases the exposure permission signal and opens the exposure permission switch 8, and further allows the X-ray generation device to take an image of the CPU 13. Notify that it is gone.

When the CPU 13 is notified that the X-ray generator can no longer be imaged, the CPU 13 changes the selected state of the part setting button 41 selected by the operator to a non-selected state,
Further, the operator is notified via the display unit 4 that the irradiation has become impossible. For example, contrary to the above, the background color inside the display unit 4 is changed from green to blue.

As described above, it is possible to prevent the solid-state imaging device 2 from being constantly driven and to keep the solid-state imaging device 2 from deteriorating.

Further, the operator needs to input patient information such as a patient name. When a patient name input button (see FIG. 2) is clicked with a mouse, a separate patient information input window appears. In this window, a patient name, a patient ID, a date of birth, an age, and the like are input using a keyboard and a mouse 21. I do. However, this patient information input can be performed before or after the selection of the site or after the image collection, while the patient is being imaged. That is, the input order of the patient information does not matter as long as it is before pressing the examination end button (see FIG. 2) for ending the examination composed of a plurality of imagings for the patient. For this reason, even when it is not possible to take time to input a patient name or the like in imaging a patient with a bad illness, it is possible to perform image imaging in advance.

In this apparatus, there is also a mode in which a patient's information is always input first, and then an imaging region is selected. In this case, at the timing when the patient information is input, the solid-state imaging device 2 is driven and the timer 6 is started. Thereafter, when the operator presses the region setting button 41, the solid-state imaging device 2 is already in the driving state, and the device is immediately in a state where the irradiation can be performed. However,
Even in this case, if the irradiation is not performed, a timeout occurs and the solid-state imaging device 2 is set to the non-drive state. In this mode,
When the exposure is performed, the timer 6 is immediately reset and restarted. Therefore, even when the part setting button 41 is pressed next for the next imaging, the operator keeps the solid-state imaging device 2 in the driving state. The photographing can be sequentially performed without waiting for a delay time for performing the shooting.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a task configuration of the image reading apparatus 100. Next, the operation after image collection will be described with reference to FIG. First, the task configuration will be described. In the CPU 13 of the image reading apparatus 100, a plurality of tasks operate in parallel in a time-division manner. The operation processing task is a task that mainly performs a process based on a user operation. The back-processing task is to perform image processing on collected images as necessary, transfer the processed images externally to a network or a large-capacity portable disk, or delete transferred images. The task to be performed. When the image is externally transferred, the image is transferred by irreversible compression using a predetermined irreversible compression coefficient, for example, DCT compression of JPEG. This irreversible compression processing is also performed by the background processing task.

In FIG. 5, four tasks are described for convenience, including the circle shown by the broken line, but one of the features is that the above four or more tasks are performed with four or fewer tasks. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which four or more tasks are executed by two tasks, and therefore, two circles are indicated by broken lines. The number of operating tasks varies depending on whether or not shooting is being performed. When the operator starts shooting, the number of activated tasks is two. However, if the next shooting is not performed for one minute after the shooting is completed, the number of tasks is increased to three. This timeout period is
It can be set separately on the setting panel.

When the photographing is started, the amount of the activation task is reduced to two. The task is not reduced while the task processing is being performed, and the task is reduced when the task processing is completed. Thus, the number of tasks to be started when the operation work is started is reduced, so that the background work can be performed without hindering the photographing work.

An image processing queue section is provided between the operation processing task and the task executing the image processing, and provides a nonvolatile first-in first-out mechanism for image-processing an image generated by a photographing operation. . An image sending queue section is provided between the task executing the image processing and the task executing the image sending, and is a non-volatile memory for sending the image that has been subjected to the image processing by the image processing task. A first in first out mechanism is provided. Further, an image erasure queue section is provided between the task executing the image transmission and the task executing the image erasure, and a nonvolatile first-in first-out (FIFO) method for erasing an image which has been completely transmitted. Provide a mechanism.

With these nonvolatile first-in first-out mechanisms, it is possible to perform relatively time-consuming image processing and image sending tasks in parallel, so that operation processing tasks that require high-speed response perform the tasks smoothly. This is possible, and even if the system is terminated while the image processing, image transmission, and the like are being performed, no image is lost.

Next, referring to FIG. 1 again, when the operator presses the exposure button 7 within, for example, 10 minutes set by the timer 6 after pressing the part setting button 41, and performs the irradiation.
An image captured by the solid-state imaging device 2 is converted into an A / D converter 12.
The data is input to the image reading control unit 5 through the communication. The image reading control unit 5 executes a correction process that can be achieved by hardware among the image processing. Thereafter, the image data is transferred from the image reading control unit 5 to the RAM 14. This transfer is performed by a DMA transfer between the image reading control unit 5 and the RAM 14,
Since the CPU 13 does not intervene, processing is performed at high speed. The image is a square image having 2688 pixels in width and 2688 pixels in height, and each pixel has a 12-bit gradation. Hereinafter, this image is referred to as a raw image.

The operation processing task performs image reduction of the collected image after the image is collected. This image is hereinafter referred to as a raw reduced image. This size is a 336 × 336 × 12-bit image, and a sub-sampling process is performed at the time of reduction. Next, the operation processing task saves the raw image immediately in the nonvolatile storage device 18. Next, the operation processing task obtains raw reduced image processing parameters from values set by default for each part selected in the raw reduced image in advance, and starts image processing based on the parameters. And display the processing result on a monitor.

In this embodiment, as image processing, irradiation field recognition, image enhancement, and gradation conversion are executed in this order. Further, all the image processing is executed in 4096 gradation gray scales, and finally, the image is written in a 336 × 336 × 8 bit display area, and the image is displayed on a display. When displaying on the monitor, since the user 1 / F unit 19 has a table for gamma correction of the display unit 4, the linearity of the display is corrected.

FIG. 6 shows details of parameter values in each of the above image processing. The default values of the above three processing contents are previously determined as default values depending on the part to be imaged. The irradiation field recognition is a routine for extracting an irradiation field area of an image, and is used as a density determination parameter at the time of gradation conversion. Also, it is used as cut-out information for cutting out and transferring only an image part necessary for network transfer. If the setting parameter of the irradiation field recognition is automatic, the irradiation field is automatically recognized for the raw reduced image. However, the size of the raw reduced image is one-eighth the size of the raw image. Therefore, when performing the raw image processing, it is necessary to multiply the width and height of the cutout area and the cutout start position information by eight times.

Further, the user can designate an irradiation field area by clicking two upper left and lower right irradiation fields on the reduced image displayed on the display using a mouse. In this case as well, the width of the cutout area,
It is necessary to multiply the height and cutout start position information by eight times. It is also possible to specify a predetermined area without recognizing the irradiation field. In this case, the cut-out area position information is input as the default value, but the raw reduced image must be used by reducing this value to all 全 て.

Next, image enhancement is frequency enhancement of an image. The parameter values are divided into four stages from 0 to 30, and default values are determined in advance by the imaging region. When the image enhancement processing is performed on the raw reduced image using this default value, the image processing tends to be visually overemphasized as compared to when the same image enhancement processing is performed on the raw image with the same parameters. However, since the image size ratio is 1/8, if the image enhancement parameter should be reduced to 1/8, it becomes impossible to determine whether or not the image has been processed. Therefore, if processing is performed on a raw reduced image using a value of half the size that is empirically set as an image processing parameter for a raw image, it is visually almost equivalent to the image processing performed on the raw image. Looks like.

Further, the operator can select “S +”, “S
By clicking the "-" button with a mouse, it is possible to change the image enhancement parameters. However, the image processing parameter determined by the operator uses twice the value as the raw image processing parameter.

Next, in the case of gradation conversion, this parameter is automatically determined with an area obtained as a result of irradiation field recognition. Then, the value determined for the raw reduced image is used as the same value for the raw image. As described above, the operation processing task obtains a raw reduced image processing parameter according to a rule determined from a value set by default for each part selected in advance in the raw reduced image, and in this case, the rule is Not all are necessarily one-eighth.

When the image processing is determined, the processing determination button shown in FIG. 2 is pressed. Then, the part setting button 41 is selected with the mouse for the next photographing. When the imaging of the patient has been completed, the examination end button is selected with the mouse. Based on either of these operations, the image reading control unit 5 performs irreversible compression on the already-described 336 × 336 × 8-bit display reduced image using an irreversible compression coefficient predetermined for each part. . And
The compression ratio is calculated from the ratio between the byte size of the original image and the byte size after compression. The reason that the irreversible compression coefficient needs to be different for each region is that, for example, a relatively high-definition image is required in the chest, while an orthopedic bone image requires an image sufficient for diagnosis even with high compression. It is for holding. The compression ratio calculated at this time is held together with the image attribute and used for subsequent processing.

As described above, in the examination of one patient, imaging can be performed sequentially, but patient information must be input before executing the examination end button for ending all imaging. Must. If the patient name input button has not been input, the patient name input window can be automatically opened by pressing the examination end button, and the patient name can be input from the patient name input window. Furthermore, when all the information is entered in the patient name input window and the completion of the input is indicated, the examination is automatically terminated, and a series of images handled by this examination is inputted to the image processing queue as one queue. You.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the already photographed image is arranged on the overview screen as its reduced image, and the already shot image is selected by selecting the overview screen with a mouse. The image can be displayed again as an image. This is because the raw image already stored in the non-volatile storage device 18 associated with the selected overview image is rearranged on the RAM 14 again, and thereafter, the same operation as the normal photographing is performed as described above. Achieved by performing processing tasks.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a process when the operator selects an overview image. First, a raw image is loaded on the RAM. Next, a raw reduced image is created. Next, using the default values shown in FIG. 6 as raw image processing parameters when the image is captured and the operator determines the image processing conditions, the raw image processing parameters are converted into raw reduced image processing parameters in accordance with the rules of FIG. The raw reduced image processing is performed using it, and the image is displayed again on the display. Finally, the photographing conditions are displayed on the display.

The feature of this case is that after the raw image stored in the non-volatile storage device 18 is again stored in the RAM 14 and the part setting button 41 is selected again, the photographed image is photographed in a different part. It can be treated as. In other words, even if the operator erroneously selects the different part setting button 41 and performs image collection, it can be changed to a different part by re-processing various attribute information and image processing again as a different part in a later process. That is.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process at this time. When the part setting button 41 is pressed after the already captured image is displayed on the display by the above overview image selection, the operator selects the OK button after displaying a warning display that the part change is performed. Then, the raw reduced image processing is generated using the raw image processing default parameters for the part, the raw reduced image processing is performed, and the image is displayed on the display. As for the shadow condition, the preset value of the part is displayed on the display. At this time,
It goes without saying that the operator can change the image processing again in the same manner as in normal shooting.

In order to end the examination consisting of one photographed image or a plurality of photographed images, it has already been described that the examination end button is selected. At this time, as already explained with reference to FIG. Are performed in the background by the multitasking process, and the operator can immediately shift to the next photographing again.

FIG. 9 shows a format of an inspection file generated at the end of the inspection. When the examination end button is selected, one examination file is created. This inspection file includes one inspection attribute and a plurality of image attributes. The examination attributes include a patient attribute, an examination-specific attribute, and the number of captured images. The patient attributes include patient ID, patient name, date of birth, gender, and the like. The test-specific attribute is
An inspection ID, an inspection date, an inspection time, and the like are included. The number of captured images is the total number of image attributes written in the inspection file. The image attributes include a part name, a photographing condition, a raw image processing condition, a lossy compression ratio, and a raw image file name.

The site name is the name of the site where the image was taken.
The imaging conditions include tube voltage, tube current, and the like. As the raw image processing conditions, parameters for raw image processing are shown in FIG.
The irreversible compression coefficient and the irreversible compression ratio have already been described. As described above, the raw image file name indicates the file name when the raw image collected from the image reading control unit is stored in the nonvolatile storage device when the image is collected. Since the inspection file includes all the inspection information and the link information to the image file, if the inspection file name is managed by the nonvolatile queue, the system described in the present embodiment is constructed.

Returning to FIG. 5, operations such as image processing, image transmission, and image erasure are performed in the background, and during that time, data is passed through the image processing queue, image transmission queue, and image erasure queue. . One of the features of the present embodiment is that the image processing queue, the image sending queue, and the image erasing queue are managed in one table. This is hereinafter referred to as a queue table.

FIG. 10 shows the details of the queue table. When one examination composed of several images of one patient is stored in the non-volatile storage device as an examination file and input to the image processing queue unit shown in FIG. A new QID is issued and added to one line and the bottom line. This queue table is rewritten by a plurality of background processing tasks and only one operation processing task. Therefore, exclusive processing called semaphore processing is performed, and other tasks must not be written while the queue table is being written. Hereinafter, obtaining the authority to write to the queue table is referred to as “acquiring a queue semaphore”, and stopping the authority to write is referred to as
It shall be called "release queue semaphore."

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a process for referring to, adding, modifying, and deleting the processing status of the inspection file in the queue table. When referring to the queue table, a queue semaphore is acquired, the table is referenced, and the queue semaphore is released. When adding, modifying, or deleting a queue table, a queue semaphore is obtained, a queue table is created by duplicating a backup table, and the table is added, modified, or deleted. At this time, addition, correction, and deletion can be performed by combining two or more operations, and a reference operation of the queue table is also possible. Then, after deleting the copy of the backup table of the queue table, the queue semaphore is released.

To add an inspection file to the queue, a new QI is displayed on the queue table after acquiring the queue semaphore.
After D is issued and one line is added to the bottom line, the queue semaphore is released.

Next, the queue table will be described.
Now, to simplify the explanation,
The word "done" substitutes for that processing status,
Actually, values of -1, -2 and -3 are used, respectively. Each column indicates what must be done in the background from now on. In the image processing, the above-described raw image is image-processed using raw image processing parameters. Transfer 1
Transfer 4 indicates a process of transferring an image on which raw image processing has been performed to an external device. The external device refers to a server device connected to a network, a printer device, an external portable medium recording device directly connected by SCSI, or the like. Deletion indicates a process of deleting an image related to the cue stored in the hard disk, such as a raw image that has been completely transferred and an image after image processing. Each row of the queue table is hereinafter referred to as a queue.

When the inspection file is input to the image processing queue section, "not yet" indicating that the processing is not yet performed is described in the columns of image processing, transfer 1 to transfer 4, and erasure. “Not yet” indicates that none of the back-processing tasks is performing the work indicated in the column.
"Executing" indicates that one background processing task is performing the work indicated by the column. At this time,
A task ID (TID) indicating the background processing task is also described in the queue table at the same time. “Done” indicates that the work indicated in the column has been completed.

FIG. 11 shows the above “not yet”, “in execution”,
This shows how the background processing tasks having a plurality of the same control methods execute processing while synchronizing with reference to the queue table in which "Done" is described. When the background processing task starts executing, it must refer to the queue table. The queue table is rewritten by multiple back-processing tasks and only one operation processing task,
Exclusive processing called semaphore processing is performed.

First, when the background processing task starts to be executed, a queue semaphore is acquired. If the queue semaphore cannot be acquired, control does not proceed at that point, and the task waits until another third-party task releases the queue semaphore. Next, a counter N for starting reading the Nth queue from the head of the queue table is set to 1. Next, the N-th information is read from the first queue.

Next, when the Nth queue exists, the process proceeds to the next step. When the queue does not exist, the queue semaphore is released and the process returns to the head by waiting for the acquisition of the queue semaphore. If the Nth queue exists, the contents of the image processing column are checked next. If “not yet”, the task ID of the back-processing task that is executing with the image processing column in the N-th queue being “executing” is described. Then, the queue semaphore is released.

Then, the inspection file described in the N-th queue is read, and image processing is performed on the image of the inspection. The feature at this time is that the image processing is performed based on the raw image processing parameters described above, and the lossy compression ratio of the image recorded in the image attribute is embedded as a bitmap on the image. After that, image compression is performed. That is, the image processing of the processing here indicates up to the image compression step.

FIG. 15 shows an example of an image in which the compression ratio of the image is embedded as a bitmap. When the image processing is completed, the queue semaphore is acquired again, the content that is “executing” is changed to “done”, and the queue semaphore is released. And it returns to the top. At this point, while the image processing is being performed, the semaphore is open, so the background processing task other than the background processing task that is performing the image processing and the operation processing task are for the purpose of performing some work. It is important to be able to get a queue semaphore.

Next, when the image processing column is "executing", the counter N is incremented by 1 and the process returns to the position shown in FIG. When the image processing column is “completed”, the transfer counter M is used to perform the transfer work from transfer 1 to transfer 4.
Is set to 1. Next, the contents of the column of the transfer M are confirmed. If “not yet”, the task ID of the back-processing task that is executing the column of the transfer M in the N-th queue as “executing” is described. Then, the queue semaphore is released.

Next, the inspection file described in the N-th queue is read, and a transfer process is performed to the transfer M for the image of the inspection. The transfer M is an operation of transferring to a transfer destination preset in the system. When the transfer process is completed, the queue semaphore is acquired again, the content that is “executing” is changed to “done”, and the queue semaphore is released. And it returns to the top. At this point, since the semaphore is open while the transfer process is being performed, the background processing task other than the background processing task that is performing the transfer process and the operation processing task are queued for the purpose of performing some work. It is important to be able to get a semaphore.

Next, when the transfer processing column is “executing” or “done”, the counter of M is incremented by one. Next, M
If the counter does not exceed 4, it returns to the position shown in FIG. Thus, all the transfers 1 to 4 are inspected. When the counter of M exceeds 4, it is checked whether or not all of the transfers 1 to 4 are “completed”. If it is not "completed", the counter N is incremented by 1 and returns to the position shown in FIG. This indicates that if there is at least one transfer being executed, it is possible to shift to execution for the next queue.

If all of the transfers 1 to 4 are "completed", they both increase the counter N by one and return to the position shown in the figure. If the image processing column is "completed", the contents of the erase column are checked. If “not yet”, the task ID of the back-processing task that is executing the erase column in the N-th queue as “executing” is described. Then, the queue semaphore is released. Then, the inspection file described in the N-th queue is read, and an erasing process is performed on an image included in the inspection.

Here, the erasing process is an inspection file on the hard disk, a plurality of raw image files indicated by the contents of the inspection file, and an image after the raw image processing generated by performing the raw image processing on the raw image file. Indicates that the file should be deleted.

When the erasing process is completed, the queue semaphore is acquired again, the contents of “executing” are changed to “done”, and the queue semaphore is released. And it returns to the top. At this point, while the erasing process is being performed, the semaphore is open, so the background processing task other than the background processing task performing the main erasing process, and the operation processing task, for the purpose of performing some work, It is important to be able to get a queue semaphore.

If the erasure processing column is "executing", the counter N is incremented by 1 and the process returns to the position shown in FIG. If the erasure processing column is “completed”, the queue N is deleted from the management table. When this queue is deleted,
The lower queues move up sequentially. Then, the queue semaphore is released and the process returns to the top. As described above, a plurality of tasks operate in synchronization with each other using the queue table.

FIG. 12 is to improve the processing speed by storing in the RAM 14 whether or not it is necessary to access the queue table before accessing the queue table stored in the nonvolatile storage device 18. Is shown. 12, when adding a queue to the queue table, the number of image processing “un” studies stored in the RAM 14, the number of transfer 1 “un” studies, the number of transfer processing 2 “un” studies, It is assumed that each variable of the number of “un” studies in the transfer process 3, the number of “un” studies in the transfer process 4, and the number of “un” studies in the erasure process is increased by one.

In FIG. 12, first, a queue semaphore is obtained. If the number of “unprocessed” image processing studies is 1 or more, there is a queue that requires image processing, and “N”
= 1 ”. If the number of "unprocessed" image processing studies is 0, a variable of P = 1 is set. If the number of "unworked" studies of transfer P is 1 or more, transfer processing is required. Jump to the step. This process is performed by changing P from 1 to 4.

Finally, if the number of studies for which the erasing process has not been performed is 1 or more, the process jumps to the step of “N = 1”. In this embodiment, when the number of each “un” study is 1 or more, the same “N = 1” step-by-jump is performed, and the subsequent process in this case is the same as the process in FIG.
The difference is that a step of reducing the number of “un” study by 1 after each processing is added.

Since the cue table is recorded in the non-volatile storage device 18, when the system power supply is terminated by the operator or when the power supply is inadvertently cut off, the cue table is stored at the next startup. In some cases, there is a task that is not working, but it is running. To prepare for such a case, when the system power is turned on, if there is a backup copy of the queue table first, the queue table is deleted, the backup copy is changed to the queue table, and all of the processing statuses "in progress" Is changed to "not" so that the logic consistency is maintained even when the power is turned off.

Next, a storage medium according to the present invention will be described. When the system based on the functional blocks of FIG. 1 described in the above embodiment is configured as a computer system including the CPU 13 and the ROM 15, the memory forms a storage medium according to the present invention. In this storage medium, a program for executing the processing procedure for controlling the above-described operation including the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 7, 8, and 11 to 13 is stored.

The storage medium may be a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic medium, or the like, and may be a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic card, a nonvolatile memory, or the like. It may be used as a card or the like.

Therefore, this storage medium is used in another system or apparatus other than the system shown in FIG. 1, and the system or computer reads out and executes the program code stored in this storage medium to execute the above-described operation. Function equivalent to the form of
The same effect can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

An OS running on a computer
When performing part or all of the processing, or after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board or an extended function unit connected to the computer, Even when the CPU or the like provided in the extended function board or the extended function unit performs a part or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code, the same functions as those of the above embodiment can be realized and the same effects can be obtained. Can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, prior to photographing, input of information necessary for photographing, for example, setting of an imaging part of a subject or input of information on the subject, enables the imaging means It becomes a driving state. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to control the ON state, so that the operability can be improved, and the life of the imaging unit can be prevented from being shortened.

Further, if photographing is permitted after waiting for a delay time until the driving state of the image pickup means is stabilized, it is possible to always obtain a stable image quality.

Further, if the imaging means is set to the non-driving state when a predetermined time has elapsed after the imaging means has been driven, it is not necessary for the operator to control turning off each time, and the operability is improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent the life of the imaging unit from being shortened.

Furthermore, if the imaging conditions and the image processing parameters are automatically determined according to the setting of the imaging region, for example, when considering the routine work of analog imaging by an X-ray technician, the conventional method of accepting a patient Although various information related to examination such as patient information and imaging information such as an imaging part are described in the irradiation record, such labor can be saved. In addition, there is no particular work related to digital photographing, and work in accordance with the routine work of analog photographing can be performed without being conscious of image processing, the driving state of the solid-state imaging device, and the like, thereby improving workability.

Further, if the information such as the patient name can be input before the examination, during the photographing of all the images, or after the photographing of all the images, the workability can be improved and the usability can be improved. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an X-ray image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a display unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing by selecting a part setting button.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing another configuration of the X-ray image acquisition device.

FIG. 5 is a task configuration diagram of the image reading apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing default values of image processing, raw reduced image processing parameters, and raw image processing parameters.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process when an overpure image is selected.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process at the time of reselecting a part setting button.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a format of an inspection file.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a queue table.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating image processing, image transmission, and image deletion processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating image processing, image transmission, and image erasing processing 2;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of referring to, adding, modifying, and deleting a cue table;

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional example of queue management.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image in which a compression ratio is embedded as a bitmap.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Subject 2 Solid-state image sensor 3 X-ray tube 4 Display unit 5 Image reading control unit 6 Timer 7 Exposure button 8 Exposure permission switch 9 X-ray generator control unit 13 CPU 14 RAM 15 ROM 21 Keyboard and mouse 41 Parts setting button

Claims (35)

[Claims] 1. An image collecting apparatus, comprising: an imaging unit for photographing a subject image; and an instruction unit for instructing photographing, wherein the imaging unit is driven to perform photographing. An image collecting apparatus, comprising: an information input unit for inputting; and a control unit for setting the imaging unit to a driving state in response to input of predetermined information to the information input unit. 2. The information input means includes means for inputting an imaging part of the subject, and the control means sets the imaging means to a driving state in response to the input of the imaging part. The image collection device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The image collection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines an imaging condition and an image processing parameter according to the input imaging region. 4. The information input means includes means for inputting information on the subject, and the control means sets the imaging means in a driving state in response to input of information on the subject. The image collection device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a permission unit configured to permit photographing by the imaging unit after waiting for a delay time after the imaging unit is driven.
The image collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The image collection apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a display unit for displaying that the permission unit has permitted the photographing by the image pickup unit. 7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the imaging unit to a non-driving state after a lapse of a predetermined time from the activation of the imaging unit.
An image collection device according to the item. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is counted again when a new input of the predetermined information is received within the predetermined time or when an image is taken by the image pickup means. 8. The image collection device according to 7. 9. The image according to claim 1, further comprising: an electromagnetic wave generating unit that emits an electromagnetic wave, wherein the imaging unit captures the subject image using the electromagnetic wave. Collection device. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising permission means for permitting the electromagnetic wave generation means to emit electromagnetic waves after waiting for a delay time after the image pickup means is driven. Image collection device. 11. The image collecting apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying that the irradiation permission means has permitted irradiation of electromagnetic waves. 12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit sets the imaging unit to a non-driving state after a lapse of a predetermined time from the activation of the imaging unit. Image collection device. 13. The predetermined time is counted again when a new input of the predetermined information is received within the predetermined time or when an electromagnetic wave is emitted by the electromagnetic wave generating means. The image collection device according to claim 12, wherein: 14. A system according to claim 7, further comprising display means for displaying that said predetermined time has elapsed.
An image collecting apparatus according to claim 1. 15. An X-ray generating unit that irradiates an X-ray to a subject, an imaging unit that uses a solid-state imaging device that captures an X-ray image transmitted through the subject, and a region setting that sets an imaging region of the subject Means, an emission permitting means for permitting the X-ray generating means to emit X-rays, and a driving state of the imaging means according to the setting by the setting means, and the X-rays within a predetermined time. An X-ray image collecting apparatus, comprising: a control unit for setting the imaging unit to a non-driving state when X-ray irradiation is not performed in the generation unit. 16. The X-ray image collecting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said control means determines an imaging condition and an image processing parameter according to the set imaging region. 17. The X-ray image acquisition apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the control unit cancels the set imaging region and sets it to a non-setting state after the predetermined time has elapsed. 18. The X-ray image collecting apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising display means for displaying that the predetermined time has elapsed. 19. The X-ray image collecting apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a display unit for displaying that the imaging unit in the driving state is ready for X-ray imaging. 20. The X-ray image collecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein there is a delay time before the imaging means in the driving state is ready for X-ray imaging. 21. An input unit for inputting information necessary for each image pickup when one or more image pickups are performed for one subject, and the control unit is configured to determine an image pickup site for each image pickup by the setting unit. 16. The X-ray image collecting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the setting and the information are received irrespective of the order of the setting operation and the operation of inputting the information by the input unit. 22. A method for collecting an image by driving an image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject in a driving state, comprising: a step of inputting information required for image capturing; Setting the imaging unit in a driving state. 23. A procedure for setting an imaging part of a subject, a procedure for setting an imaging unit using a solid-state imaging device to a driving state after the setting, and permitting X-ray irradiation after the driving state is set. And X-rays are radiated when instructed, and the X-ray image transmitted through the subject is captured by the imaging unit. The X-rays are irradiated within a predetermined time after the setting. Setting the imaging means in a non-driving state when there is no X-ray image acquisition method. 24. The X-ray image acquisition method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of determining an imaging condition and an image processing parameter according to the setting of the imaging region. 25. The X-ray image acquisition method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of releasing the set imaging part and setting it to a non-setting state after the lapse of the predetermined time. 26. The method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of displaying that the predetermined time has elapsed.
Line image collection method. 27. An X-ray image acquisition method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of displaying that said imaging means in said driven state is ready for X-ray imaging. 28. A procedure for inputting information necessary for each imaging when performing one or more imagings for one subject, and a procedure for inputting the information and setting up each imaging site for the plurality of imagings. 24. The X-ray image acquisition method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of receiving the settings and information regardless of an execution order. 29. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for performing image capturing by driving an image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject, wherein a process for inputting information necessary for image capturing is performed. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of setting the imaging unit to a driving state when information is input. 30. A process for setting an imaging region of a subject, a process for setting an imaging unit using a solid-state imaging device to a driving state after the setting, and permitting X-ray irradiation after the driving state is set. Processing, X-rays are emitted when instructed, and an X-ray image transmitted through the subject is captured by the imaging means. After the setting, the X-rays are emitted within a predetermined time. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of setting the imaging unit to a non-driving state when there is no drive. 31. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 30, wherein a program for executing a process of determining an imaging condition and an image processing parameter in accordance with the setting of the imaging region is stored. 32. A program for executing processing for canceling the set imaging region and setting it to a non-setting state after the predetermined time has elapsed.
A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1. 33. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 30, wherein a program for executing a process for displaying that the predetermined time has elapsed is stored. 34. A program for executing a process for displaying that the imaging means in the driven state is ready for X-ray imaging.
0. The computer-readable storage medium according to 0. 35. A process for inputting information necessary for each imaging when performing one or a plurality of imagings for one subject, and a process for inputting the information and a process for setting each imaging region for the plurality of imagings. 31. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 30, wherein a program for executing the processing for receiving the setting and the information regardless of the execution order is stored.