JP2002171377A - Image transmitter, image receiver, image transmission method and method for storing received image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of facilitating and accelerating processing such as the unitized storage of plural images in an image transferring processing through a network. SOLUTION: In the processing of delivering an image photographed by modality to a destination device such as an archive, image data belonging to the same category such as the same inspection, the same patient is transferred continuously by a single communication connection provided between data transmission/reception. Furthermore, between data transmitter and receiver, negotiation is carried out and data in the same category is transmitted by a single connection in accordance with the data management constitution of the destination device. Thus, a data-receiving side can receive a picture data- stored by a mode coincident with its own data management constitution within the single connection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention executes a transfer process of a photographed image of various image photographing devices connected to a network, a processed image of an image processing device, or an image stored in an image storage device via a network. The present invention relates to an image transmission device, an image reception device, an image transmission method, and a received image storage processing method, and in particular, to an image obtained by a medical image diagnostic device via a network to various destination devices such as a printer, a database, and a display device. When sending to
For example, the present invention relates to an image transmitting apparatus, an image receiving apparatus, an image transmitting method, and a received image storing method in which images included in one group such as one inspection unit are collectively transmitted and can be managed or stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various image diagnostic apparatuses have been used as medical diagnostic apparatuses. For example, typical devices include an ultrasonic diagnostic device, an MR (Magnetic Resonance) device, a CT (Computerized Tomography) device, and a CR (Comp
uted Radiography) device. These diagnostic imaging devices are called modality devices. Image data photographed by these various modality devices is printed out by a film printer, displayed on a display, or stored in a storage means such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, and data is stored.
The processing is performed in various modes.

For example, in a diagnosis using a CT apparatus,
A CT technician, which is an image diagnostic apparatus, is operated by a laboratory technician, and a tomographic image or the like of a patient is captured. This image can also be displayed on a video display on the console of the device. Further, by operating a film recorder called an imager connected to a modality (CT device), an image necessary for diagnosis is specified, and the specified image is input to the imager and printed on a large-format film by a printer, for example. Be out. This film is given to a doctor as a diagnostic image, and a patient is diagnosed.

In a hospital that handles a plurality of various modality devices, various modality devices, a printer, a display, an image storage archive as an image storage device, and the like are interconnected via a network, and a photographed image of the modality device and an image storage device are stored. The image data stored in the means can be displayed on a display or output to a printer as necessary at various places in the hospital.

In a system environment connected to a network, for example, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an MR (Magnetic Resona)
nce) device, CT (Computerized Tomography) device, CR
(Computed Radiography) Images captured by a device or the like are transferred by the user by designating various destination devices such as a printer, a display, a database, and the like, and image display,
Output and storage are performed.

[0006]

Generally, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an MR (Magnetic resonance) apparatus, and a CT (Computeriz
Diagnostic images taken by various modalities such as edTomography and CR (Computed Radiography) devices are accompanied by attribute information such as patient name, patient ID, examination date and time, examination conditions, date of birth of the patient and name of doctor in charge. Then, a storage process for the storage device and the like are executed together with the attribute information. Further, parameters for setting the display and output modes of the display and the printer are stored together with the image.

In general hospitals having a plurality of medical departments, M
A large amount of various image data such as RI and X-ray CT is generated, and it is necessary to accumulate these in a database.
Usually, in one examination, a plurality of images are photographed, image transfer is performed for each of the plurality of images, and the images are individually stored in the database while having the accompanying information.

However, in such a network environment, for example, a destination device (e.g., ex.) For a series of image data photographed in one examination of one patient.
The data receiving and storing process in the archive) is the same as the receiving process of individual image data, and only performs the storing process for each image. In this case, in order to extract an image for each inspection unit on the destination device side, for example, a process of examining collateral information of a plurality of images stored in a storage device and extracting an image having the same inspection information is necessary. Becomes

According to the present invention, in the above-described conventional image transfer network system, for example, a plurality of images of one inspection unit are continuously transmitted via a network.
When the destination apparatus receives the image, the series of images is handled in a single unit, and the images are managed or stored, thereby facilitating the handling such as searching and extracting a series of images belonging to one inspection unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image transmitting apparatus, an image receiving apparatus, an image transmitting method, and a received image storing processing method that can perform the above processing.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to achieve the above-described object, and a first aspect of the present invention is to provide an image transmission apparatus for executing image data transmission processing, comprising: Image determination processing means for determining that at least a part of additional information of transfer images in one connection established with the apparatus is the same, and final image for confirming completion of transfer of all images of the transfer target image The judgment processing means and the image transfer in the connection established between the transmission destination device and the image processing apparatus are started under the condition of the identity judgment in the image judgment processing means, and the final image judgment processing means confirms the end of all image transfer. Communication control means for executing disconnection processing of a connection established with the data transmission destination device as a condition. In the image transmission device.

Further, in one embodiment of the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention, the image determination processing means executes processing for determining the identity of inspection information included in supplementary information of a transferred image, and the communication control means And a process for continuously transmitting images having the same inspection information within one connection established with the data transmission destination device.

Further, in one embodiment of the image transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, the image determination processing means determines whether the additional information of the transfer image determined as a result of the negotiation executed with the data transmission destination apparatus is the same. And the communication control means continuously executes an image having the same incidental information of the transfer image determined as a result of the negotiation in one connection established with the data transmission destination device. It is characterized by having a configuration for executing processing for transmitting.

Further, in one embodiment of the image transmission apparatus of the present invention, the final image determination processing means stores the number of transfer target images in one connection established with the data transmission destination apparatus in a memory, It is characterized in that it has a configuration in which the number of transfer images in the connection is counted and a confirmation process of completion of transfer of all images is executed.

Further, in one embodiment of the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention, the final image determination processing means includes a final image as supplementary information of a final image to be transferred in one connection established with the data transmission destination apparatus. The present invention is characterized in that a tag is set to indicate that there is, the presence / absence of the tag is verified for each transfer image in the connection, and a confirmation process of completion of transfer of all images is executed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image receiving apparatus for executing image data receiving processing, wherein a plurality of images received in one connection established with the data transmitting apparatus belong to the same category. The image receiving apparatus further comprises an image storage control means for storing the image in the storage means.

Further, in one embodiment of the image receiving apparatus according to the present invention, the image storage control means executes a data storage process on the storage means based on a hierarchical structure in which additional information of image data is hierarchized. With regard to a plurality of images received by one connection, a confirmation process of at least a part of the supplementary information in the supplementary information of each image is not performed, and a part of the supplementary information constituting the hierarchical structure is not executed. It is characterized by having a configuration in which data storage processing is executed assuming that they are the same.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image transmission method for executing image data transmission processing, wherein at least a part of additional information of a transfer image in one connection established with a data transmission destination device. An image determination processing step for determining that they are the same, a final image determination processing step for performing confirmation of completion of transfer of all images of the transfer target image, and the transmission destination on condition that the sameness determination in the image determination processing step is performed. Image transfer in the connection established with the device is started, and disconnection processing of the connection established with the data transmission destination device is executed on condition that confirmation of completion of all image transfer in the final image determination processing step is made. And a communication control step.

Further, in one embodiment of the image transmission method according to the present invention, the image determination processing step executes processing for determining the identity of inspection information included in supplementary information of the transferred image, and the communication control means includes: A process of continuously transmitting images having the same inspection information within one connection established with the data transmission destination device.

Further, in one embodiment of the image transmission method according to the present invention, the image determination processing step includes the step of determining whether or not the additional information of the transfer image determined as a result of the negotiation executed with the data transmission destination device. And the communication control step continuously performs an image having the same supplementary information of the transfer image determined as a result of the negotiation in one connection established with the data transmission destination device. The transmission processing is performed.

Further, in one embodiment of the image transmission method of the present invention, the final image determination processing step stores the number of transfer target images in one connection established with the data transmission destination device in a memory, The transfer image in the connection is counted, and a confirmation process of completion of transfer of all images is executed.

Further, in one embodiment of the image transmission method of the present invention, the final image determination processing step includes the step of determining whether or not the final image is to be transferred as supplementary information of the final image to be transferred in one connection established with the data transmission destination device. A tag indicating the presence of the tag is set, the presence / absence of the tag is verified for each transfer image in the connection, and a process of confirming completion of transfer of all images is executed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a received image storing method for executing a receiving process and a storing process of image data, wherein a plurality of images received in one connection established with the data transmitting apparatus are identical. A received image storage processing method, comprising an image storage control step of storing the image in the storage means as an image belonging to the category.

Further, in one embodiment of the received image storage processing method of the present invention, the storage means has a data storage configuration based on a hierarchical configuration in which additional information of the image data is hierarchized, and the image storage control step is performed. Regarding a plurality of images received by the one connection, the confirmation processing of at least a part of the supplementary information in the supplementary information of each image is not executed, and the part of the supplementary information constituting the hierarchical structure is the same. It is characterized in that the data storage process is executed assuming that the data is stored.

Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are:
It will become apparent from the following more detailed description based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image transmitting apparatus, an image receiving apparatus, an image transmitting method, and a received image storing processing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the system is a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices, and the devices of each configuration are not limited to those in the same housing.

[System Overview] FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration example of a network system to which an image transmitting apparatus, an image receiving apparatus, an image transmitting method, and a received image storing processing method of the present invention can be applied. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment, MR (Magnetic Resonance) equipment, CT (Co
mputerized Tomography device, CR (Computed Radiogr)
aphy) Various modality devices such as devices 50A, 50B ...
The medical / diagnosis images taken in are sent to workstations 70A, 70B,.
The image is confirmed, the transfer destination is confirmed, transferred to the workstations 10A, 10B, and 10C for controlling image display, printing, and storage via a network, and various processes such as display display, print output, and database storage are performed. Is done.

An MR (Magnetic Resonance) for magnetic resonance for computer tomography is provided on the network.
Device 50A, RI device 50B, US device 50C, DSA device 50D for digital subtraction angiography, CT
(Computed Tomography) device 50E, computer
There are a plurality of modality devices, such as CR (Computed Radiography) devices 50F for radiography, which are medical and diagnostic image capturing and supply sources, and these modality devices are:
Workstations 70A and 70 as confirmation delivery devices
Network connection via B.

The network-connected workstations 10 for electronically handling medical / diagnosis images, the workstations 10 for controlling archives, and the workstations 70 for connected to each modality device and performing confirmation delivery processing are usually provided with a network. ·interface·
Network connection is made by a card (NIC: Network Interface Card).

In FIG. 1, a network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) laid in a single hospital.
It is. The LAN may be constituted by a single LAN segment 20, or may be constituted by a plurality of LAN segments 20A, 20B interconnected via a router (or gateway) 30. Further, the network may be a WAN (Wide Area Network) configured by connecting LANs of remote hospitals via a dedicated line or the like, or a wide area network such as the Internet.

Each workstation 1 on the network
0,..., The workstations 70 are transparently connected according to a predetermined communication protocol. For example, according to the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference standard model, the physical layer and the data link layer of the network are Ethernet (registered trademark), and the transport layer and the network layer are TCP / IP (Transmission Control).
Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Further, for the upper layers above the session layer, each medical product maker prepares a dedicated protocol.

One of the typical upper layer protocols in the industry is DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communic).
ation for Machine). DICOM is a US A
CR (American College of Radiology) and NEMA
(The National Electrical Manufacturers Association
This is a communication protocol for medical images established by n).
In addition to DICOM, communication using a protocol unique to a modality device product manufacturer connected to the network is performed.

The workstations 70A, 70B ...
It is connected to one or more modality devices provided in a dedicated diagnostic room (not shown) in the hospital, and has a monitor for confirming images acquired by the connected modality devices, and temporarily stores images. Storage media such as a magnetic disk and a DVD. The user
Workstations 70A and 70 as confirmation delivery devices
In B, the image transfer is executed by designating, for example, an image viewer for executing image display, a printer for executing print output, and an archive for executing image storage as image transfer destinations. At this time, in one connection established between the data transmitting and receiving apparatuses, the same category,
For example, image data having the same inspection information is continuously transmitted. This processing will be described later in detail.

The workstation 10A operates as an image viewer, and is used, for example, to retrieve a past diagnostic image from a database attached to a file server and confirm it on a display screen.

The workstation 10B prints
Act as a server. The workstation 10B is
One or more locally connected printers, printer # 1,
112, printers # 2 and 113 for printing image data.

The workstation 10C functions as a file server, and stores image data in an image storage archive 122 as a database connected to the file server. Archive 122 for image storage
Is a large-capacity storage device for storing a huge amount of diagnostic image files, and usually stores compressed image data.

The display, printer, and archive are:
Ultrasound diagnostic equipment, MR (Magnetic resonance) equipment, CT
(Computerized Tomography) device, CR (Computed Rad)
iography) Various modality devices 50A, 50 such as devices
B are designated by the user as the output destination or storage destination of the medical image captured in B, that is, the transfer destination via the network. The user delivers the image acquired by the modality device to the workstations 70A and 70B as the confirmation delivery device via the network by specifying a display, a printer, and a database as one or more destinations, and displays, outputs, or stores the image.

At the workstation 10A operating as an image viewer, the user can change the display mode by changing the parameters of the image displayed on the CRT, for example. It is possible to specify an image storage archive as a transfer destination via a network and store it. In this case, the data can be overwritten or stored as another image.

A printer is mounted on the workstation 10B functioning as a print server via an adapter card (not shown). The workstation 10B is connected to each modality device 50 on the network.
The image data transferred from... Is subjected to various image processing, such as gradation processing using an appropriate γ curve corresponding to the received image data, and is further subjected to format processing (for example, on a film of a predetermined size). After performing various processes such as an image enlargement or reduction process, the image is output by a printer. The user can change the output mode by changing the parameters of the image to be output to the printer. The image whose parameters have been changed is temporarily stored in the print server, and is again stored in the database ( (Archive).

According to the medical image communication system as shown in FIG. 1, by digitizing all medical diagnostic data acquired in the hospital, the diagnostic data can be distributed and shared between a plurality of terminal devices on the network. be able to.
That is, diagnostic data obtained in one diagnostic room can be browsed in another diagnostic room (or a diagnostic room of a remote hospital). In addition, by extracting past diagnostic images from the database as appropriate, it is possible to confirm the progress of recovery and the evolution of medical conditions.

As described in the above description with reference to FIG. 1, the diagnostic / medical image captured by the modality device is transmitted to the workstation 70 as a confirmation delivery device connected to the modality device, for example, by a printer,
After the destination of the archive etc. is specified as the destination device,
Delivered via network.

FIG. 2 shows each modality and the confirmation delivery device (W /
S: workstation) and the connection configuration of an archive, a printer, and a display device as destination devices.

The confirmation / delivery device (W / S: workstation) 202a includes two modalities 201a and 201b.
And these two modalities 201a, 201
b, the user receives the diagnostic / medical image taken by the user, and the user confirms and sends the image to the destination device such as the archive 203, the printer 204, or the display device (viewer) 205, or another network-connected device in the confirmation delivery device 202a. A transfer process to a destination device via a network is performed by designating a workstation, a server, and the like.

The confirmation / delivery device (W / S: workstation) 202 includes three modalities 201c, 201d,
201e connected to these three modalities 201
c, 201d, and 201e, the user receives the diagnostic / medical image captured by the confirmation / delivery device 202b.
A destination device as an image transfer destination is designated, and a transfer process to the destination device via the network is executed.

Confirmation / delivery devices (W / S: workstations) 202a and 202b are used for displaying images or displaying a response message from a destination device, and for displaying diagnostic / medical images taken by each connection modality. It has a database for temporary storage, and collects captured images in the modality for each predetermined unit such as an inspection unit, specifies a destination device, and transfers it via a network.

When a plurality of images are included in one inspection unit, the confirmation / delivery devices (W / S: workstations) 202a and 202b are connected to each other in one connection of the image transfer process specifying the destination device. Transfer images continuously.
For example, the archive 203 specified as the destination device is
A plurality of images received in one connection are handled as one category, for example, images in one examination.

That is, for example, the archive 203 is a certain confirmation delivery device (W / S: workstation)
202a and a connection are set, and the confirmation delivery device (W /
(S: workstation) 202a, when the image data is received, the image received in one connection is processed as an image included in one category.

[Data Management Configuration] An example of a data management configuration in the archive 203 is shown in FIG. Diagnosis / medical images taken by each modality are structured and managed, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, based on supplementary information for each image. The diagnosis / medical image is provided with patient information, examination information, series information, and image information for each image, and is managed hierarchically based on each of the information. However,
The data management configuration in the archive can take various forms other than the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and there is a management configuration for each archive.

The patient information includes, for example, patient information on which a diagnostic / medical image is to be captured, such as the patient's name, patient identifier, gender, and date of birth. The examination information includes, for example, information such as a photographing date and time and a photographing method. The series information is information of a part to be imaged, for example, front, side, and the like. The image information is an image identifier, an image parameter, and the like. Each image can be identified and extracted by an image identifier. One or more images having the information can be identified and extracted by designating each information in higher series information, examination information, or patient information. It is possible to do.

The archives that have received images from the confirmation / delivery devices (W / S: workstations) 202a, b connected to each modality basically perform the image storage processing based on the data management configuration of the archives. The information attached to each image is checked, and processing is performed based on the management configuration shown in FIG. However, when a plurality of images are continuously received within one connection from one confirmation delivery device, for example, without verifying the patient information and the examination information,
It is determined that all the images have the same inspection information, and the storing process is executed.

In order to enable this processing, a confirmation delivery device (W / S: workstation) 20 as an image transmission source is used.
The processes 2a and 2b require a process of transmitting one or more images transmitted through one connection as images in one inspection. The confirmation and delivery device checks the inspection I from the information attached to each image.
After confirming the identity of D, the continuous transfer of the image in one connection is executed on condition that the D has the same examination ID, and the connection is disconnected after the transfer of the final image.

[Data transmission device configuration] Confirmation delivery device (W
/ S: workstation) 202a, b are shown in FIG. The confirmation / delivery device (W / S: workstation) 202 includes an interface 305 for receiving a captured image of the modality, an interface 306 for transmitting / receiving processing confirmation data to / from a destination device via a network, and transmitting an image, and a captured image of the modality. A storage unit 303 for temporarily storing, a display image 302 for displaying a captured image of a modality, or a message transmitted from a destination device in a process confirmation communication with the destination device, a command for specifying an image processing mode, or the like; An input means 304 for executing data input, an image determination processing means 307 for determining whether or not the transferred images in one connection are of the same category such as the same examination ID, and a final image of the transferred image in one connection Final image determination means 308 for performing a determination process, Data extraction from the storage unit 303 and control of data transmission / reception are executed, image transfer in a connection established with the destination device is started on condition that the category identification is determined by the image determination processing unit 307, and final image determination processing is performed. Means 308
And a control unit 301 having a function of a communication control unit 309 for executing a process of disconnecting a connection established with a destination device on condition that confirmation of completion of transfer of all images is performed.

The confirmation / delivery device (W / S: workstation) 202 first executes the image determination processing means 3 when delivering a new image within one connection specifying the destination device.
In step 07, one or more pieces of supplementary information of the image to be delivered, for example, the examination ID, are verified, and all the examination IDs are the same.
Is determined. Images that do not have the same examination ID are excluded from transfer targets in the same connection. When images having the same inspection ID are all selected as transfer target images, the final image determination unit 308 determines the number of transfer images in the control unit as a process for enabling confirmation of the final image of the image to be transferred. Record in memory. , The final image determination means 308
The counter in the control unit 301 is incremented for each transfer process for each image, a comparison is made between the counter number and the number of images recorded in the memory, and both values match, and the output of all the images to be transferred is completed. At this point, the communication control unit 309 is notified of the end of transfer of all images, and the communication control unit 3
09 executes processing of disconnecting (turning off) the connection with the destination device based on the notification.

Alternatively, the final image determining unit 308 sets a tag indicating that the final image of the transfer scheduled image is a final image as a process for enabling confirmation of the final image of the transfer scheduled image. When the tag 308 verifies the presence or absence of the tag for each transfer process for each image to the destination device and confirms the presence of the tag, the communication control unit 309 notifies the communication control unit 309 that the transfer of all images has been completed. It may be configured to execute a process of disconnecting (off) the connection with the destination device based on the notification. In this case, the counting process becomes unnecessary.

[Configuration of Data Receiving Apparatus] On the other hand, the configuration of the archive side as the destination apparatus in the image transfer processing will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 5 also shows the configuration of an archive as a large-capacity storage unit, and the configuration of an archive server that performs data reception via a network and data storage processing for the archive.

An archive (archive server) 203 shown in FIG. 5 includes an interface 402 for transmitting and receiving data from a network-connected device such as an image confirmation and delivery device via a network, a storage unit 403 as a large-capacity storage unit, It has control means 401. The control unit 401 includes a communication control unit 404 that executes a control process of communication via a network, and an image storage control unit 405 that executes a data storage control for a storage unit.

When the communication control means 404 of the archive (archive server) 203 establishes a connection with, for example, the image confirmation and delivery device via a network and receives an image from the image confirmation and delivery device, the received data is transferred to the image storage control means 405. , A data storage process is performed according to the supplementary information of the image based on the data management configuration in the storage unit 403 (see FIG. 3). However, as described above, the process of setting the received image in one connection to have the same category, for example, the same inspection ID, on the data transmitting side is performed. When a plurality of images are included in one connection, it is determined that all of the images belong to the same category (inspection ID), and the verification of the inspection ID for each image is omitted and the data storage process is executed. I do. For example, the inspection ID of the first received image is verified, and all image data continuously received through the same connection have the same inspection ID.
And the storage process is performed.

The archive 20 on the data receiving side
The tag 3 indicates that the received image can be determined to be an image belonging to the same category when the connection is disconnected. In the case where is attached, a configuration may be adopted in which the control means on the data receiving side performs a tag detection process, and identifies the final image in one connection by receiving the tagged image data.

The above processing is set as a unique rule in data transfer via a network, and image data transferred in one connection between devices connected to the network is included in one category. It is also possible to configure so that data transfer between each device is executed under the following conditions. However, before data transfer, negotiation is performed between the data transmission source and the destination device, and the image in one connection The image transfer may be started after confirming that both images belong to the same category.

[Data Transmission / Reception Processing] FIG. 6 shows a data communication sequence between the confirmation delivery device which is the image transmission source and the destination device such as the archive which is the image transmission destination. The confirmation delivery device first transmits a processing request to the destination device.
The processing request includes, for example, new data storage processing or data overwriting processing as data storage processing, and further includes the above-described image type setting processing request within one connection.

In the data overwriting process, the data once stored in the archive is read out, displayed on an image viewer or the like, and the image parameters are changed. This is a process that needs to be executed when performing a re-storage process.

The image type setting processing request in one connection is a request to process transmission images in one connection as the same category on the receiving side. As described above, archives have their own data management configurations,
There are cases where the configuration is such that data can be stored in units of inspection, and cases where it does not. For example, there is an archive configuration in which a patient ID or an examination date and time is used as an identification unit at the time of data storage processing instead of using an examination ID as an identification unit at the time of data storage processing.

In such a case, a category is set according to the processing unit on the archive side, and data having the same category is included in transmission data in one connection. For example, when the archive of the destination device executes a process using the patient name (patient ID) as an identification unit at the time of data storage, the confirmation delivery device on the data transmitting side replaces the transmission image in one connection with one patient name ( (Patient ID) and execute data transmission processing.

Which category, such as an examination ID and a patient ID, is set to be the same is set by negotiation between the data transmission source and the data receiving device. On the data receiving side, it is possible to process all the data received within one connection as belonging to the same category according to the setting conditions, and it is not necessary to check the accompanying information for each received image.

The destination device transmits a response message as to whether or not a process according to a processing request from, for example, the confirmation delivery device as the data transmission side is possible to the confirmation delivery device. The confirmation delivery device receives the response from the destination device, verifies the response, determines whether the process can be performed by the destination device, displays a response message on the display device as necessary, and confirms the user. Then, the subsequent processing mode is set, and the image delivery according to the processing mode is performed.

The data transmitting side confirms that the processing of the final image of the transfer image in one connection has been completed based on the counter or the tag as described above, and disconnects the connection established with the destination device.

On the data receiving side, data storage processing is executed based on the judgment that the images received within one connection belong to the same category such as the same inspection.

As described above, after the negotiation is performed between the data transmitting and receiving apparatuses, the image transfer is performed, so that it is not necessary for the data receiving side to perform the confirmation processing of the supplementary information for each image, and the processing on the archive side is unnecessary. Image storage processing according to the mode can be executed reliably and quickly.

FIG. 7 is a diagram summarizing the processing at the image transfer source as a flow of the image transfer processing within one connection described above.

The negotiation processing is omitted in the flow of FIG. If necessary, a negotiation is performed with the destination device before step S101 to specify the category of the transfer image within one connection.

First, in step S101, an image transfer source device such as a confirmation delivery device executes a process of selecting an image to be transferred within one connection. The selection of the image is performed by displaying the image, the thumbnail of the image, the identification data of the image, or the like on the display unit shown in FIG.

Next, when the transfer image is determined, step S
In step 102, the number of images to be transferred is stored in the memory, or a tag indicating the final image is set as supplementary information for the image to be finally transferred. Next, step S1
At 03, a connection is established by designating an archive or the like as an image transfer destination. This step is omitted if the negotiation is executed and a connection has already been established.

Next, in step S104, an image transfer process is started for the destination device for which the connection has been established. In step S105, it is determined whether or not the transfer count counted by the counter matches the transfer count stored in the memory. Alternatively, when the tag attaching process is executed, it is determined whether or not the transfer of the image to which the tag is attached has been completed.

The image transfer processing in step S104 is continuously executed until it is determined by counting or tag detection that the image transfer processing in one connection has been completed. Thereafter, the connection established with the destination device is disconnected (turned off) when the determination in step S105 is Yes, that is, when it is determined that the image transfer processing in one connection is completed by counting or tag detection. The image transfer processing ends.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which an archive was used as a large-capacity storage device as a data receiving device. However, the data receiving device also has storage means such as a printer and a display and temporarily stores data received via a network. Even in a device that performs processing such as storing in a means and printing out or displaying on a display, it is possible to store a plurality of data received by one connection as one category in a storage means, similarly to the archive described above. The configuration of the present invention is applicable not only to the archive but also to an apparatus having various data receiving functions.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. That is, the present invention has been disclosed by way of example, and should not be construed as limiting. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims described at the beginning should be considered.

[0076]

As described above, according to the image transmitting apparatus, the image receiving apparatus, the image transmitting method, and the received image storing processing method of the present invention, an image photographed by the modality is archived via the confirmation delivery apparatus. For example, in a process of delivering data to a destination device, an image transmitted / received within one connection established between data transmission / reception devices is transmitted using the same inspection information,
Since the image is configured to belong to the same category such as the same patient information, the data receiving side can omit the verification processing of the accompanying information for each received image, and the data processing can be performed quickly and reliably.

According to the image transmitting apparatus, the image receiving apparatus, the image transmitting method, and the received image storing processing method of the present invention, in the process of delivering an image photographed by a modality to a destination apparatus such as an archive, Since the negotiation is executed between the transmitting and receiving devices and the data of the same category is transmitted by one connection according to the data management configuration in the destination device, the data receiving side is configured to transmit the data in a mode that matches its own data management configuration. The classified images can be received within one connection, and the data receiving side can omit the verification processing of the accompanying information for each received image, thereby enabling quick and reliable data processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission / reception network of diagnostic / medical image data to which the system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 shows a confirmation delivery device which is an image transmission device of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration with a modality and various destination devices.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data management configuration in the image storage device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a confirmation delivery device that is an image transmission device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an archive which is an image receiving device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a negotiation and an image transfer processing sequence executed between the image transmitting / receiving apparatuses of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow in the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Workstation 20 LAN 30 Router 50 Modality device 70 Confirmation delivery device 201 Modality 202 Confirmation delivery device 203 Archive 204 Printer 205 Display device 301 Control means 302 Display means 303 Storage means 304 Input means 305, 306 Interface 307 Image judgment processing means 308 Final Image determination means 309 Communication control means 401 Control means 402 Interface 403 Storage means 404 Communication control means 405 Image storage control means

Claims (14)

[Claims] An image transmitting apparatus for executing processing for transmitting image data determines that at least a part of additional information of a transfer image in one connection established with a data transmission destination apparatus is the same. An image determination processing means, a final image determination processing means for performing confirmation of the end of all image transfer of the transfer target image, and a connection established between the transmission destination apparatus on condition that the image determination processing means determines identity. Communication control means for starting image transfer and executing disconnection processing of a connection established with the data transmission destination device on condition that confirmation of completion of all image transfer in the final image determination processing means is provided. Characteristic image transmission device. 2. The image determination processing unit executes a process of determining the identity of inspection information included in supplementary information of a transfer image, and the communication control unit transmits an image having the same inspection information to the data transmission unit. 2. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transmitting apparatus has a configuration for executing processing for continuously transmitting data within one connection established with the destination apparatus. 3. The communication control unit according to claim 2, wherein the image determination processing unit performs a process of determining the identity of the supplementary information of the transfer image determined as a result of the negotiation performed with the data transmission destination device. Has a configuration for executing a process of continuously transmitting an image having the same supplementary information of a transfer image determined as a result of negotiation within one connection established with the data transmission destination device. The image transmission device according to claim 1. 4. The final image determination processing means stores, in a memory, the number of transfer target images in one connection established with the data transmission destination device, counts transfer images in the connection, and transfers all images. 4. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a configuration for executing a termination confirmation process. 5. The final image determination processing means sets a tag indicating a final image as supplementary information of a transfer target final image in one connection established with the data transmission destination device, and 4. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transmitting apparatus has a configuration in which the presence or absence of the tag is verified for each transfer image and a confirmation process of completion of transfer of all images is executed. 6. An image receiving apparatus for executing an image data receiving process, wherein a plurality of images received in one connection established with the data transmitting apparatus are stored in a storage unit as images belonging to the same category. An image receiving apparatus comprising: 7. The image storage control means has a configuration for executing data storage processing on the storage means based on a hierarchical structure in which additional information of image data is hierarchized. For the image, the confirmation processing of at least a part of the supplementary information in the supplementary information of each image is not performed, and the storage processing of the data is performed by regarding the part of the supplementary information constituting the hierarchical configuration as being the same. The image receiving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image receiving apparatus has a configuration that performs the following. 8. An image transmission method for executing image data transmission processing, wherein it is determined that at least a part of additional information of a transfer image in one connection established with a data transmission destination device is the same. An image determination processing step, a final image determination processing step for executing confirmation of the end of transfer of all images of the transfer target image, and a connection established with the transmission destination device on condition that the identity determination in the image determination processing step is performed. A communication control step of starting image transfer and executing disconnection processing of a connection established with the data transmission destination device on condition that confirmation of completion of all image transfer in the final image determination processing step is provided. Characteristic image transmission method. 9. The image judging process step executes a process of judging the identity of inspection information included in supplementary information of a transfer image, and the communication control means transmits the image having the same inspection information to the data. 9. The image transmission method according to claim 8, wherein a process of continuously transmitting data within one connection established with the destination device is executed. 10. The communication control step, wherein the image determination processing step performs processing of determining the identity of incidental information of a transfer image determined as a result of negotiation performed with a data transmission destination device. Executing a process of continuously transmitting images having the same incidental information of transfer images determined as a result of negotiation within one connection established with the data transmission destination device. Item 9. The image transmission method according to Item 8. 11. The final image determination processing step includes: storing the number of transfer target images in one connection established with the data transmission destination device in a memory; counting the transfer images in the connection; The image transmission method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein an end confirmation process is executed. 12. The final image determination processing step sets a tag indicating a final image as additional information of a final image to be transferred in one connection established with the data transmission destination device, 11. The image transmission method according to claim 8, wherein the presence / absence of the tag is verified for each transfer image, and a confirmation process of completion of transfer of all images is executed. 13. A received image storing method for executing a receiving process and a storing process of image data, wherein a plurality of images received in one connection established with the data transmitting device are stored in the storage means as images belonging to the same category. A received image storage processing method comprising an image storage control step for storing. 14. The storage means has a data storage configuration based on a hierarchical configuration in which incidental information of image data is hierarchized. The image storage control step includes the steps of: A process for confirming at least a part of the supplementary information in each supplementary information is not performed, and a part of the supplementary information constituting the hierarchical structure is regarded as being the same, and the data storage process is performed. Item 14. The received image storage processing method according to Item 13.