JP2002073812A - Image control device for dentistry - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to form a desired layout to be registered. SOLUTION: Designated cells in a layout forming column are selected as image regions by operation input such as a mouse click, positions of the image regions (lines and rows of the cells) are respectively stored, and each image region is stored with correspondence as a component element for the layout.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a dental image management apparatus having a function of displaying a plurality of selected images (such as images of the inside of an oral cavity) in a desired layout.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In dentistry, a plurality of oral images are sometimes displayed side by side. For example, in a method called the five-sheet method,
Five oral images are laid out in a cross. That is, a front image photographed from the front of the oral cavity is arranged at the center position of the cross, an upper jaw image photographing the upper jaw of the oral cavity from below, and a lower jaw image photographing the lower jaw of the oral cavity from above, respectively. A right jaw image of the oral cavity taken from the right side of the patient, a left jaw image of the oral cavity taken from the left side of the patient,
Is arranged. By arranging in this manner, the inside of the oral cavity where a stereoscopic perspective image cannot be captured is pseudo-stereoscopically represented.

In a conventional dental image management apparatus, relatively popular layouts are prepared as in the above-described five-sheet method, and those layouts are displayed as candidates, and a desired layout of a user (dentist) is selected from the candidate layouts. A method of selecting is adopted.

[0004]

In the five-sheet method, the right jaw image is arranged at the left position in the cross, and the left jaw image is arranged at the right position in the cross. The reason is that the right and left jaws are the right and left jaws for the patient, whereas the left and right on the layout are based on the left and right as seen from the dentist. For this reason, for example, when the image of the 5-sheet method is pasted on the treatment plan and explained to the patient, the patient mistakes the left and right and replaces the image at the left position with the image of the left jaw (or the image at the right position with the right jaw). Image). Therefore, for example, when an image is used for the purpose of a treatment plan description, another layout may be desirable instead of the existing five-sheet method. However, since such a layout is not common, it is often not prepared in the candidates. In addition, it is desirable that a plurality of selected images are initially displayed in a layout desired for the treatment plan description when a screen of the treatment plan description is displayed, for example. There is no management device. When the dentist inspects each part of the oral cavity, there is a fixed order that is easy for the dentist to inspect, and the order seems to be different for each dentist. For this reason, regarding the arrangement (layout) of the image of the inspection result, it is considered that the arrangement that is easy to see differs for each dentist. However, it is considered that many of such arrangements are not prepared in the candidates.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable a user (dentist) to create and register a desired layout. It is another object of the present invention to be able to initially display a plurality of selected images in an optimal layout determined according to the situation.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dental image management apparatus having a function of displaying a desired image on a display and operating and inputting desired information. Display control means for displaying a layout creation screen, area selection means for selecting a small area arbitrarily designated in the layout creation field as an image area by operation input, and storing the position of each selected image area, Region storage means for storing each image region in association with each other as a component of a layout. The “arbitrarily designated small area” is, for example, a rectangular area arbitrarily secured by a mouse drag operation. In addition, a small area arbitrarily specified from cells prepared in the layout creation section may be used. In the former case, the coordinates of the rectangular area and the like (two coordinates at both ends on the diagonal line / upper left coordinate and vector) are stored as the position information of the image area. In the latter case, the row number and column number of the cell are stored as position information of the image area. “Storing in association with layout elements” means, for example, assigning a layout number to the layout created this time and storing each image area (or its number) in association with the layout number. Claim 2
The invention according to claim 1, further comprising number setting means for setting a sequence number for each of the selected image areas, wherein said area storage means sets each of said set sequence numbers to a value set by said sequence number. A dental image management apparatus characterized in that the dental image management apparatus stores the image data in association with the position of the selected image area. The setting of the sequence number may be such that, for example, the selection order of the image areas is set as the sequence number. Further, a configuration may be employed in which the sequence number is set in accordance with a ten-key input in a selected state of the image area. The order number will be described in detail in an embodiment described later. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the layout creation field is composed of a plurality of cells arranged vertically and horizontally, and the area selecting means is configured to select a cell designated by an operation input or a cell simultaneously. A dental image management apparatus characterized in that a specified adjacent cell group is treated as the small area. "Simultaneously designate adjacent cell groups as the small area" means a plurality of vertically and horizontally adjacent cells (when the aspect ratio is not changed, the same number of cells is vertically and horizontally, such as four or nine). This means that all cells are collectively selected as an image area while a plurality of adjacent cells are selected. The collective selection can be realized, for example, by adding the same sequence number. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the layout creation screen has a default input field for allowing a user to input whether or not a default setting can be made based on information collected at the time of layout creation. And a default storage means for setting and storing the created layout as a default layout when an operation input indicating that default setting is possible is input in the default input field. It is. The “information collected at the time of creating the layout” corresponds to, for example, the number of images constituting the layout. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the layout creation screen has a default input field for allowing a user to input whether or not a default setting can be made based on information determined when using the layout. ,further,
A dental image management apparatus, comprising: a default storage unit configured to set and store a created layout as a default layout when an operation input indicating that default setting is possible is input in the default input field. The “information determined when using a layout” is, for example, a document or a document type (= use) to which a group of laid out images is to be pasted. Further, it is information associated with the image to be laid out (injured site, disease name, or type of image such as front image or maxillary image). The “default input field for allowing the user to input whether or not the default setting based on the information determined when using the layout” may include a selection field for use / injury / disease / disease name / image type, etc., and a permission / non-permission check field. Well, also, for each use / injured / injured site / disease name /
A configuration having a check column for availability for each image type may be used. The invention of claim 6 according to claim 1, further comprising number setting means for setting a sequence number for each selected image area, wherein the area storage means stores the set sequence number in each of the selected image areas. A dental image management apparatus characterized in that a sequence number is set and stored in association with a position and a size of an image area.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a dental image management device according to an embodiment. The dental image management apparatus according to the embodiment is a computer device including a control device, an input device including a keyboard and a mouse, a display, a printer, an auxiliary storage device including a hard disk, and the like. By executing the processing in accordance with the stored application program (not shown), a function as a dental image management device is realized. Since the hardware configuration of the computer device is publicly known, detailed description of each device is omitted.

The auxiliary storage device includes a layout master file (see the upper part of FIG. 13), a layout arrangement master file (see the lower part of FIG. 13), a use master file (see the upper part of FIG. 15), and a default layout master based on the configuration. A file (see the middle part of FIG. 15), a default layout master file based on the application (see the lower part of FIG. 15), and an image file for each image are recorded.
Of course, files other than these are also recorded, but are omitted here.

Layout master file: The layout master file is shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 14, or FIG.
13 is a file in which data input on the layout creation screen is recorded. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 13, a layout name and the number of images used are recorded in association with a layout number. The procedure for creating a layout based on the data input on the layout creation screen of FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 14, or FIG. 16 is shown in the flowcharts of FIG.

Layout arrangement order master file: The layout arrangement order master file is shown in FIGS.
4 or a file in which data input on the layout creation screen of FIG. 16 is recorded. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 13, the order of arrangement of the images selected in the layout selection procedure (FIGS. 7 to 9) Order number) and location (cell row and column)
Are recorded in association with the layout number.

Usage master file: The usage master file is, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 15, a file in which a usage, which is a name of a document or a document to which an image is pasted, and a usage number are recorded in association with each other. It is.

Default layout master file (number of components): The default layout master file based on the number of components is a file in which data input on the layout creation screen shown in FIG. 14 is recorded. As shown in the middle part of FIG. A layout number set as a default based on the number of components is recorded in association with the number of components.
The procedure for creating a layout based on the data input on the layout creation screen of FIG. 14 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Default layout master file (use): The default layout master file based on the use is a file in which data input on the layout creation screen of FIG. 16 is recorded. As shown in the lower part of FIG. The layout number set as a default based on the application number is recorded in association with the application number. The procedure for creating a layout based on the data input on the layout creation screen of FIG. 16 is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to a flowchart. Layout creation procedure: FIGS. 2 and 3 show a layout creation procedure. For example, when the switching button is pressed on a screen having a switching button to a layout creation screen, a layout creation screen is displayed (S01). 11 and 12 show examples of the layout creation screen. An area occupying substantially the left half in both figures is a layout creation column.

In FIG. 11, a layout for arranging five images in a cross is created. That is, in the cell group designated as a cross, the cell at the center position has the sequence number 1, the cell at the upper position has the sequence number 2, the cell at the lower position has the sequence number 3, the cell at the left position has the sequence number 4, and the cell at the right position has the sequence number 4. The sequence number 5 is assigned to each cell. In FIG. 12, a layout in which six images are arranged in a square is created. That is,
The order number 1 is assigned to the four cells at the upper left position so that an image having an area four times larger than other images is arranged at the upper left position in the square.
Are assigned to the image at the top position of the right column, sequence number 2; the image at the center position of the right column is sequence number 3, the image at the bottom left end position is sequence number 4, the sequence number at the image at the bottom center position is sequence number 5, and the bottom right position The sequence number 6 is assigned to each image. The numerical value shown in each cell is the sequence number. Note that the order number is a number indicating the arrangement order when arranging images using the created layout, and the images are arranged in the order selected.
It is placed in the cell indicated by the sequence number.

In the layout creation screen, when the number of components has not been input (NO in S03), an input operation other than the input operation of the number of components (however, an input for "close / cancel" the layout creation screen) When an operation is excluded (NO in S11), a message that "the input cannot be accepted because the number of components has not been input" is displayed (S1).
3). The number of components indicates the total number of images when arranging images using the created layout, and is “5” in FIG. 11 and “6” in FIG.

When a numerical value is input in a state where keyboard focus is present in the number of components field in the layout creation screen (S
03, YES), the numerical value is displayed as a constituent number in the constituent number column and stored in a variable n in the memory (S0
5) Further, 0 is set to the counter i (S0)
7). The counter i indicates the current image area (image 1
This is a counter that indicates the designated number of sheets (where one image area is defined as one image area).

When a numerical value is input while the keyboard focus is on the layout No. column in the layout creation screen (YES in S41), the numerical value is displayed in the layout No. column as a layout number and stored in the memory. (S43). Similarly, if a character string is input in a state where the keyboard is focused on the layout name field in the layout creation screen (YES in S45), the character string is displayed in the layout name field as a layout name and stored in the memory. Is performed (S47).

When a selection input operation (mouse click or the like) for any of the cells in the layout creation field in the layout creation screen is detected (YES in S21), the cell is selected and highlighted and displayed. The fact that the cell has been selected is stored in the memory (S23). Next, it is checked whether a sequence number is associated with the selected cell (S25). As a result, if the sequence numbers are associated (YES in S25), the sequence numbers are cleared (S27), and the counter i is decremented by "1" (S29). That is, the selection of the cell for which the designation of the sequence number has already been performed is processed as the cancellation of the designation. On the other hand, if “No sequence number is associated” in step S25 (NO in S25), steps S27 and S29
Is jumped. In other words, the selection of a cell for which the sequence number has not been specified is a preparation for specifying the sequence number for the cell.

When a numerical value is input in a selected state of one or two or more adjacent cells (1, 4, 9,... When the image aspect ratio is maintained) (YES in S31, YES in S33,
(YES in S35), the numerical value is stored in the memory as the sequence number of the selected cell, displayed in the selected cell, and the selection of the selected cell is released (S37). Further, the counter i is incremented by "1" (S39). However, the condition is that the input numerical value does not correspond to the already input sequence number, in other words, it is not allocated to another cell (NO in S33).

In step S71, it is checked whether the registration key has been pressed. As a result, if the registration key has not been pressed (NO in S71), the process returns to step S21. On the other hand, if the press of the registration key is detected (S7
1 is YES), the layout number and the layout name have been input (YES in S73), and the designated number i of the image area at the current time is equal to the number n of layout components (S
(YES at 77), data on the memory (layout number, layout name, number of components (number of images used), sequence number (arrangement order), cell position (row, column))
Are recorded in the layout master file and the layout arrangement master file of the auxiliary storage device.

FIG. 13 shows the structure of the layout master file.
In the upper part of the figure, the configuration of the layout arrangement master file is shown in the lower part of FIG. As shown in the figure, in the layout master file, the layout name and the number of used images (the number of components) are recorded in association with the layout number. In the layout arrangement master file, the arrangement order (order number) and the cell position (row and column) are recorded in association with the layout number.

If "layout number and / or name has not been entered" in step S73, the process proceeds to step S73.
O), "Registration is not possible because layout number / name has not been input" is displayed (S75), and the process returns to step S21. If "the specified number i of the image area at the present time does not reach the number n of the layouts" in the step S77 (NO in S77), a message that "the layout is incomplete and cannot be registered" is displayed. (S7
5), and return to step S21.

Layout creation procedure (default setting based on the number of components): FIG. 4 shows an example in which a default setting procedure is added to the layout creation procedure shown in FIGS. In FIG.
The created layout is set to a default based on the number of components (the number of component images). That is, when the same number of images as the number of components of the layout set as the default are designated as the images to be arranged, the layout is initially displayed as a default.

The procedure before step S47 in FIG.
3 are substantially the same as steps S01 to S47 in FIG. 3, and only the processing in step S01 is slightly different. That is, when performing the default setting as shown in FIG. 4, in step S01, the screen shown in FIG. 14 (a screen having a check box for inputting whether or not the default setting based on the number of components is allowed) is displayed.

In the procedure after step S47 in FIG.
Steps indicated by broken lines in the figure are different from those in FIG. That is,
In the procedure of FIG. 4, the default check flag is turned on / off according to the on / off of the default setting check column shown in FIG. 14 (S51 to S57). Prior to the process of recording data (layout number, layout name, number of components, sequence number, cell position (row, column)) in the auxiliary storage device (S91), a default check flag is determined (S81). If the default check flag is ON (YES in S81),
The default layout number based on the number of components is rewritten to the layout number created this time (S8).
3). The default layout number based on the number of components is recorded in the default layout master file shown in the middle part of FIG.

A layout that has been set to a default based on the number of components as described above may be released from the default later. In that case, another layout is set as the default. As a method of determining the another layout, for example, the number of components is the same and the layout number is 1
Various methods are conceivable, such as a method of adopting a younger layout, a method of restoring a default layout until immediately before the layout whose default has been canceled is set to the default, and the like. Note that, when another layout is set as a default and the previous default setting is canceled, the another layout is naturally set as a default.

Layout creation procedure (default setting for use): FIGS. 5 and 6 show another example in which a default setting procedure is added to the layout creation procedure shown in FIGS. FIG.
In FIG. 6 and FIG. 6, the created layout is set to a default based on the application. In other words, if the destination of the image after the layout is set to a document (document) having the same use as the use of the default layout, the layout is initially displayed as a default.

The procedure before step S47 in FIG.
3 are substantially the same as steps S01 to S47 in FIG. 3, and only the processing in step S01 is slightly different. That is, when the default setting is performed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in step S01, the screen shown in FIG. 16 (screen having a check box for inputting whether the default setting based on the use is input and a use selection box) is displayed. Will be. Here, the use selection field is displayed based on the data of the use master file shown in the upper part of FIG.

In the procedure after step S47 in FIG.
The steps indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 5 and 6 are different from those in FIG. That is, in the procedures of FIGS. 5 and 6, the default check flag is turned on / off in accordance with the on / off state of the default setting check column shown in FIG. 16 (S52 to S52).
58). If the application is selected (Y in S59)
ES), the selected use is highlighted and stored in the memory (S59-S63). Further, a default check flag is determined (S82) prior to the process of recording data (layout number, layout name, number of components, sequence number, cell position (row, column)) in the auxiliary storage device (S91). If the default check flag is ON (YES in S82), the default layout number based on the application is rewritten to the layout number created this time (S83). However, if the use is not selected even though the default check flag is turned on (NO in S85), a message that “the use cannot be selected and thus cannot be registered” is displayed (S8).
7), and return to step S21. The default layout number based on the application is recorded in the default layout master file shown in the lower part of FIG.

The layout set as the default based on the use as described above may be released from the default later. In that case, another layout is set as the default. The setting method is the same as the case where the layout set to the default based on the number of components described above is later released from the default.

Layout selection procedure (default designation by the number of components): FIGS. 7 and 8 show a layout selection procedure.
When a desired image is pasted on a desired document in a desired layout, it is necessary to first display image candidates on an image list screen and select a desired image from the candidates. In selecting the image, it is necessary to select a desired image in accordance with the arrangement order in the desired layout (the order indicated by the above-mentioned order number).

FIG. 17 shows an example of an image list screen. This image list screen is displayed, for example, when the switch button is pressed on a screen having a switch button to the image list screen (S101). On the image list screen, the selected image is displayed in a bold frame. In the illustrated example, five images are selected, and the selection order is a circle, a triangle, a square, an inverted triangle, and a right triangle. Note that the image displayed as a candidate on the image list screen is usually a thumbnail of the image, but may be the image itself when the size of the image is small.

An image list screen is displayed (S101).
And the initial value 0 is set in the counter j (S10
3). The counter j is a counter indicating the number of selected images at each current point in time. When a selection input operation (a mouse click or the like) for any image is detected on the image list screen (YES in S105), the image is selected and displayed in a bold frame, and a message indicating that the image has been selected is displayed. Is stored in the memory (S107). Further, the counter j is incremented by "1" (S109).

In step S111, it is checked whether the sequence number has been saved. That is, when the selection of the selected image is released, it is estimated that another image is selected and the order number of the deselected image is added to the other image. (S107) In step S111, it is checked whether or not the sequence number has been saved. If the sequence number has been saved (YES in S111), the saved sequence number is associated with the currently selected image (S115).
It is. If the sequence number has not been saved in step S111 (NO in S111), the image selection order becomes the sequence number, so the number of image selections at the current time becomes the sequence number, and The value is set (S113). In step S117, step S1
The value of the sequence number set in 13 or S115 is stored in the memory in association with the currently selected image. FIG. 19 shows an example of the association on the memory.

When a selection release input operation (mouse click or the like) for any selected image is detected on the image list screen (YES in S105), the sequence number associated with the selected image is saved ( S123), the selection of the selected image is released, and the display returns to the thin frame display (S125).
Further, the counter j is decremented by "1" (S1).
27).

When a switching input operation to the screen of the image usage destination (a screen for creating a document to which the selected image is to be pasted, for example, a family medical treatment plan creation screen) is detected on the image list screen (S131). If the image is selected (YES in S133), the screen is switched to the screen where the image is used (S141). At this time, if at least some of the selected images are not the same type (S
(NO at 135), a default layout number based on the number of components j (the number of currently selected images) is obtained from the default layout master file (S137). For example, if five images have been selected this time, the default layout number 1 for the case of five components is acquired as the default layout number. If all the selected images are images of the same type (for example, all images are front images, all images of the same site, etc.), the process proceeds to S135.
O), it is often the case that the layout of the same injured part is to be displayed in a list (to arrange images over time), etc. Step S137 is jumped.

Layout selection procedure (default setting for use): FIG. 9 shows a layout selection procedure shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in which default designation based on use is performed instead of default designation based on the number of components. is there. Steps before and after step S135 in FIG. 9 and step S141 are the same as those in FIG. 7 and FIG. FIG. 9 is different from FIG. 7 and FIG.
Step 139 indicated by a one-dot chain line.

That is, in the procedure of FIG. 9, if at least a part of the selected images are not the same type (N in S135)
O), a default layout number based on the use (use of the image use destination screen) is obtained from the default layout master file as a default layout number (S139).

Layout Implementation Procedure: FIG. 10 shows a layout implementation procedure. When the screen is switched in step S141 of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, the screen of the image use destination is displayed (S201). For example, a screen for creating a family doctor treatment plan is displayed. FIG. 18 illustrates a screen for creating a family doctor treatment plan. In the illustrated example, a substantially left half area in the screen is an image display area, and the image selected in the above-described layout selection procedure is the same as that in step S1 in FIG.
37 or the default layout acquired in step S139 of FIG. In the right half area,
The input area for the family doctor treatment plan is displayed.

If the default layout number is not obtained because it is determined to be YES in step S135 of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 (NO in S203), a layout selection screen (a layout candidate is displayed and input operation is performed) A pop-up screen is displayed (S2).
05). When a desired layout is selected on the layout selection screen (YES in S207), the selected layout number is obtained (S209), and the pop-up screen is closed (S211).

In place of the pop-up display of the layout selection screen, a switching button to the layout selection screen is provided in the preparation screen of the family doctor treatment plan, and the screen is switched to the layout selection screen in response to pressing of the switching button. May be configured.

If the default layout number has been obtained (YES in S203), or if the layout number has been obtained on the layout selection screen, step S is executed.
Proceed to 221. In step S221, the images selected in the above-described layout selection procedure are arranged at the positions indicated by the order numbers in the order of selection according to the order numbers read from the layout numbers in the layout arrangement order master file. Thereafter, processing is performed on a screen of the image use destination (eg, a screen for creating a family doctor treatment plan).

[0044]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image area is selected in a layout creation field in accordance with an operation input, the position of each selected image area is stored, and each image area is used as a layout component. Because they are stored in association with each other,
The user can create and register a desired layout. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a sequence number is further set for each selected image area, and each set sequence number is stored in association with the position of the image area. By selecting a desired image according to the sequence number at the time of use, an arrangement destination of each image can be determined. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the layout creation field is composed of a plurality of cells arranged vertically and horizontally, and the cell specified by the operation input or the adjacent cell group specified at the same time is defined by the sub-claims. Since it is handled as an area, the input operation for selecting an image area is simplified. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, there is provided a default input field for allowing the user to input whether or not a default setting based on information collected at the time of layout creation is possible. When the operation is input, the created layout is set as the default layout and stored, so that when the layout is used, the optimal layout can be initially displayed. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, there is provided a default input field for allowing the user to input whether or not to perform default setting based on information determined when using the layout. When the operation is input, the created layout is set as the default layout and stored, so that when the layout is used, the optimal layout can be initially displayed. According to the invention of claim 6, according to claim 1, a sequence number is further set for each selected image area, and each set sequence number is stored in association with the position and size of the image area. By selecting a desired image according to the sequence number when using the layout, the arrangement destination and size of each image can be determined.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a dental image management device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a part of a flowchart showing a layout creation procedure.

FIG. 3 is the remaining part of the flowchart showing the layout creation procedure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a modification of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a part of a flowchart showing a modified example of FIG. 3 different from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is the remaining part of the flowchart showing a modification of FIG. 3 which is different from FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a part of a flowchart showing a layout selection procedure.

FIG. 8 is the remaining part of the flowchart showing the layout selection procedure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a modification of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a layout execution procedure.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a layout creation screen.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a layout creation screen.

FIG. 13 shows the structure of a layout master file (upper row).
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration (lower row) of a layout arrangement order master file.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a layout creation screen.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a usage master file (upper row), a configuration of a default layout master file based on the number of components (middle row), and a configuration of a default layout master file based on usage (lower row).

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a layout creation screen.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image list screen.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a family doctor treatment plan creation screen.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an image file table (upper row) and an image selection result table (lower row) on a memory.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/387 A61C 19/04 Z (72) Inventor Osamu Kuniyuki 2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. 5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4C052 AA06 AA20 FF07 LL04 NN04 NN15 5B050 AA02 BA10 CA07 EA19 FA02 FA12 FA13 FA17 FA19 5B075 ND06 NK21 NR03 PP03 PP13 PQ02 PQ46 UU29 5C076 AA01A08 A08A08 A08 BB53 CA32 CA51 CA62 CB05 DA61 DA73 MM02 MM09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A dental image management apparatus having a function of displaying a desired image on a display and operating and inputting desired information, a display control means for displaying a layout creation screen having a layout creation field, Area selecting means for selecting a small area arbitrarily designated in the layout creation field as an image area by an operation input, and storing the position of each selected image area and associating each image area as a layout element A dental image management apparatus, comprising: an area storage means for storing the data. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising number setting means for setting a sequence number for each of the selected image areas, wherein said area storage means stores said set sequence number in each of said sequence numbers. The dental image management device characterized in that each of them is stored in association with the position of the image area in which is set. 3. The layout creation section according to claim 1, wherein the layout creation section is composed of a plurality of cells arranged vertically and horizontally, and the area selecting means includes a cell designated by an operation input or a cell designated at the same time. A designated group of adjacent cells is treated as the small area. 4. The layout creation screen according to claim 1, wherein the layout creation screen has a default input field for allowing a user to input whether or not a default setting can be made based on information collected at the time of layout creation. The dental image management apparatus further includes a default storage unit configured to set and store the created layout as a default layout when an operation input indicating that default setting is possible is input in the default input field. 5. The layout creation screen according to claim 1, wherein the layout creation screen has a default input field for allowing the user to input whether or not a default setting can be made based on information determined when the layout is used. And a default storage unit configured to set and store the created layout as a default layout when an operation to the effect that default setting is possible is input in the default input field. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising number setting means for setting a sequence number for each selected image area, wherein said area storage means stores said set sequence number in each of said sequence numbers. The dental image management device, wherein the information is stored in association with the position and the size of the image area in which is set.