JP2009090011A - Ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device, capable of temporarily storing image data which should preferably be outputted automatically by making similar operation as in normal use even in a state where no external output device is connected, so that the image data can be outputted later in a state of connecting the external output device. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with a CPU 1 to control the whole system, an ultrasonic control part 3 to transmit/receive ultrasonic waves based on commands from the CPU 1, and a nonvolatile memory part 4 operable as a work memory for the CPU 1, while having an image data storage function for the ultrasonic control part 3. When the CPU 1 recognizes that no external output device 7 is connected, it stores image data which should otherwise be outputted to the nonvolatile memory part 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to image output to an external output device of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a CPU (central processing unit) 1 that generates commands for controlling the entire system, and a CPU peripheral control unit 2 that controls each unit based on commands from the CPU 1. An ultrasonic control unit 3, a non-volatile memory unit 4 as a work memory of the CPU 1, an IO control unit 5 for controlling input / output, a control panel unit 6 for performing panel operation, and image data are displayed. The ultrasonic control unit 3 includes a transmitting unit 31 that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body such as a human, a receiving unit 32 that receives ultrasonic waves reflected by a living body such as a human, and a receiving unit 32. And an image processing unit 34 that performs image processing on the echo signal received by the above and outputs it as an ultrasonic image signal.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above, when image data is printed out to the outside, the image data is output to the external output apparatus 7 via a video (Video) output or RGB output signal output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Is printed out (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). Alternatively, image data is output to an external output device 7 connected via USB (Universal Serial Bus: USB).
JP 2003-159252 A JP 2003-135463 A

  However, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in order to print out image data, an external output device 7 such as a video copy processor is required. However, on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus side, an external output device is required. 7 is not configured to detect the presence / absence of connection, and only outputs image data to the I / O port with an output instruction signal. However, in order to print out the image data, there is a problem that the external output device 7 such as a video copy processor must be carried at the same time. On the other hand, since the USB-connected external output device 7 has a longer processing time than a video output interface, there is a problem that the processing time per patient is also increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is carried and used, it is normally used even in a state where no external output device is connected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be operated in the same manner as when it is in operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls the entire system, an ultrasonic control unit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves based on instructions from the control unit, and scans a living body. A non-volatile memory unit that operates as a work memory of the control unit and has a function of storing image data by the ultrasonic control unit, and when the control unit recognizes that an external output device is not connected, The non-volatile memory unit is configured to store the image data.

  With this configuration, when outputting image data to the external output device, if the external output device is not connected, the control means recognizes the unconnected state via an interface such as a USB, and outputs an output command to the external output device. On the other hand, the image data to be output can be stored in the nonvolatile memory. For this reason, when the external output device is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it is possible to recognize the connection state of the stored image data and output the stored image data to the external output device. To do.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus further includes a monitor device that displays image data by the ultrasonic control unit, and the control unit includes at least one of a mark indicating a state in which image data is accumulated in the nonvolatile memory unit and a number of accumulated image data. Is displayed on the monitor device.

  With this configuration, in a state where the image data accumulated without being output to the external output device is accumulated in the nonvolatile memory unit, the number of sheets to be output and a mark indicating that the image is accumulated can be displayed on the screen. it can.

  In addition, a control panel unit for performing a panel operation is further provided, and when the control unit recognizes that the external output device is connected, based on a connection recognition result or an output instruction from the control panel unit. The image data stored in the nonvolatile memory unit is configured to be output to the external output device.

  With this configuration, when the control unit recognizes that the external output device is connected, the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory unit is output to the external output device automatically or in accordance with an operation instruction from the control panel unit. Can do.

  Further, the control means is configured to notify the state in which the image data cannot be output to the external output device and is accumulated in the nonvolatile memory unit by a BEEP sound.

  With this configuration, the operator can be notified by the BEEP sound that the image has been stored in the nonvolatile memory unit.

  Further, when the control means is outputting image data to the external output device, if the interval of the output instruction by the control panel unit is shorter than the time required for output to the external output device, the nonvolatile memory The image data is automatically stored in the storage device.

  With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the waiting time for output processing when image data is being output to the external output device.

  In the present invention, by providing an output image saving function in the nonvolatile memory unit, the control means recognizes whether or not an external output device is connected via an interface such as a USB, and an operator issues an output command when not connected. When the control means recognizes that the external output device is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via the interface such as USB, the image data temporarily stored is automatically stored temporarily in the nonvolatile memory unit. Can be output to an external output device.

  Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 1 as a control unit that controls the entire system, a CPU peripheral control unit 2 that controls each unit based on a command from the CPU 1, and an ultrasonic control unit 3 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. And a non-volatile memory unit 4 that operates as a work memory of the CPU 1 and has an output image storage function, an IO control unit 5 that controls input / output, a control panel unit 6 that performs panel operations, and image data And a monitor device 8 for displaying.

  Here, the ultrasonic control unit 3 transmits a transmission unit 31 that transmits ultrasonic waves to a living body such as a human, a receiving unit 32 that receives ultrasonic waves reflected by a living body such as a human, and an echo signal received by the receiving unit 32. And an image processing unit 33 that performs image processing and outputs an ultrasonic image signal.

  The nonvolatile memory unit 4 is a work memory for the CPU 1 and includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk drive. The IO control unit 5 includes input / output control, for example, output of a video signal to the monitor device 8, a communication interface such as a USB connected to the external output device 7, and an interface with the control panel unit 6.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart showing the control contents of the CPU 1 when the power is turned on for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the control contents when the external output device 7 is connected after the power is turned on. 4 is an operation flowchart showing the control contents of the CPU 1 when the panel is operated by pressing the Print key from the control panel section 6 when it is desired to print out an image via the external output device 7.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is powered on (step S1), the CPU 1 performs a boot up process that starts automatically (step S2). After the startup, in a state where the output image is stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 4 (YES in step S3), it is determined whether or not the USB-connected external output device 7 is connected (step S4). The CPU 1 recognizes that it is connected to the USB in order to periodically search the configuration of the connected device, which is a feature of the interface such as USB, and recognize the connection state.

  If the external output device 7 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the CPU 1 outputs the image data currently output to the monitor device 8 to the external output device 7 via the IO control unit 5 (step S5). . As a result, the external output device 7 can execute print output according to the received information. The non-volatile memory unit 4 stores the number of stored images together with the stored image. After outputting the image data, the CPU 1 clears the output number of the non-volatile memory unit 4 and erases the stored image (step S6), and performs processing. finish.

  Further, when the operator connects the external output device 7 to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and uses the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus at a time after the power is turned on while the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is powered on, the CPU 1 first It is recognized that the external output device 7 is connected to the USB interface, and it is determined whether or not the output image is stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 4 (step S8). If the output image is stored in nonvolatile memory unit 4 (YES in step S8), the image data is also output to monitor device 8.

  In this state, when it is desired to print out an image via the external output device 7, the panel operation information is transmitted to the CPU 1 by the panel operation from the control panel unit 6, so the CPU 1 transmits the panel operation information to the control panel unit. 6 from the IO control unit 5 and the CPU peripheral control unit 2, and the image data output to the monitor device 8 at that time is output to the external output device 7 through the IO control unit 5 (steps S8 to S5). . The external output device 7 executes print output according to the received information. After outputting the image data, the CPU 1 clears the output number of the nonvolatile memory unit 4 and erases the stored image (step S6), and ends the process.

  Next, a case where the operator uses the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus without connecting the external output apparatus 7 will be described with reference to FIG. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is powered on and the operator is using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, when the user wants to print out an image via the external output device 7, the control panel unit 6 outputs the image. Panel operation information is transmitted to the CPU 1 by pressing the print key, that is, by pressing the Print key (step S11). In the CPU 1, the panel operation information is received from the control panel unit 6 through the IO control unit 5 and the CPU peripheral control unit 2. In this state, the CPU 1 recognizes that the external output device 7 is not connected to an interface such as a USB (step S12).

  At this time, since the USB-connected external output device 7 is not connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic device (NO in step S12), the CPU 1 stores the image data output to the monitor device 8 at that time in the nonvolatile memory unit 4. It accumulates (step S13), increments the number of images to be output to the external output device 7, and stores the number of images together with the image data in the nonvolatile memory unit 4 (step S14). Then, a mark indicating that a stored image exists and the number of stored images are output on the screen of the monitor device 8 (step S15).

  Thereafter, when the external output device 7 is USB-connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the CPU 1 can recognize that the external output device 7 is USB-connected (YES in step S12). The number of images stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 4 is output to the external output device 7, and the external output device 7 can print out the number of images (step S16).

  As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used, the connection state of the external output device 7 and the connection state of the external output device 7 are displayed by the CPU 1. Even if the external output device 7 is not connected, it should be output by the same operation method as when the external output device 7 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic device, using the fact that it can be recognized via an interface such as USB. Image data can be stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 4. Since the CPU 1 can recognize that it has been stored, when the external output device 7 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from the next time onward, it outputs the image data that has been stored so far to the external output device 7. be able to.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, if the state and the number of sheets stored in the nonvolatile memory 4 are output in the right frame of the screen of the monitor device 8 at the present time, they are not output at present, but are externally output later. It is possible for the operator to recognize that the device 7 should be connected, and to confirm that the operation has been performed correctly by confirming that the number of stored sheets increases when performing the output operation. Further, if the BEEP sound is output and notified at that time, it can be easily recognized by the operator that it has been accumulated without looking at the monitor screen.

When the CPU 1 outputs image data to the external output device 7 and the output instruction interval by the control panel unit 6 is shorter than the output time, the output instructions are issued one after another. 7 can not catch up, and image data is automatically stored in the non-volatile memory unit 4, so that the waiting time for output processing when image data is output to the external output device 7 can be eliminated.
The USB interface connection includes not only a USB connector but also a connector including a USB signal such as a docking port connector.
Also, if the image data to be output is not correctly output when the external output device itself or the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is turned off during output of the accumulated image, the output image is cleared (step in FIG. 2). Since S6) is not performed, the output image remains without being erased, and can be output when the power is turned on again.
As described above, even when output instructions are frequently generated and processing is not in time, image data to be automatically output can be temporarily stored, and the image data can be output again with the external output device connected. With respect to the processing time of the connected external output device, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be connected to an external output device that can process faster and print processing can be collectively output.

  As described above, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, the CPU can recognize whether or not the external output device is connected via an interface such as a USB, and the operator issues an output command when it is not connected. The image data is automatically temporarily stored in the nonvolatile memory unit, and the image data temporarily stored when the CPU 1 recognizes that the external output device is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic device is output to the external output device. It has an effect and is useful as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and showing the control contents of the CPU when the power is turned on. FIG. 5 is for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and controls the CPU at the time of panel operation by pressing the Print key from the control panel unit when it is desired to print out an image via an external output device. Operation flowchart showing contents The figure which shows the example of an output screen of the ultrasound diagnosing device in embodiment of this invention Block diagram of conventional ultrasonic diagnostic equipment

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU (control means)
2 CPU peripheral control unit 3 Ultrasonic control unit 4 Non-volatile memory unit 5 IO control unit 6 Control panel unit 7 External output device 8 Monitor device 31 Transmission unit 32 Reception unit 33 Image processing unit

Claims (5)

Control means for controlling the entire system;
An ultrasonic control unit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves based on a command from the control means and scans a living body;
A non-volatile memory unit that operates as a work memory of the control means and has a function of storing image data by the ultrasonic control unit;
With
The control means is configured to store the image data in the nonvolatile memory unit when recognizing that an external output device is not connected.
A characteristic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
A monitor device for displaying image data by the ultrasonic control unit;
The control means is configured to cause the monitor device to display at least one of a mark indicating a state in which image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory unit and the number of stored image data.
A characteristic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A control panel unit for performing panel operation is further provided.
When the control unit recognizes that the external output device is connected, the external output device displays the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory unit based on the connection recognition result or an output instruction from the control panel unit. That is configured to output to
A characteristic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control means is configured to notify the state in which the image data cannot be output to the external output device and is accumulated in the nonvolatile memory unit by a BEEP sound.
A characteristic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.
When the control means outputs image data to the external output device and the interval time of the output instruction from the control panel unit to the external output device is shorter than the time required for output, the control means outputs an image to the nonvolatile memory. That it was configured to automatically accumulate data,
A characteristic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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