JP2009119135A - Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and medical electronic instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic imaging apparatus with an operation panel using a capacitance touch sensor, which is hardly affected by external electric-field noise, and to provide a medical electronic instrument. <P>SOLUTION: A gate part 46 is turned-on/off based on the contact sound of an operator, which is detected with a first microphone 98. When there is no contact sound information, position information is kept not to be transmitted to a control part 108. Thus, even when a position detecting part 44, etc., is erroneously operated due to the external electric-field noise, etc., so as to output position information, erroneous information is prevented from being transmitted to the control part 108. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a medical electronic apparatus that input control information from an operation panel.

  In recent years, user interfaces such as operation panels have been diversified. For example, in a keyboard that constitutes an operation panel, a switch that uses a mechanical contact from a switch having a mechanical contact is being used (for example, see Patent Document 1). ). An example of this electronic touch sensor is a capacitive touch sensor that detects a change in capacitance.

  An operation panel using a capacitive touch sensor can easily increase resistance to dust, chemicals, water droplets, and the like, and can detect not only simple key inputs but also a cursor on a display screen. ) It is also possible to detect scroll position information such as movement.

These features of the capacitive touch sensor are useful from the viewpoint of improving the reliability of the device in medical sites where chemicals, water, etc. are frequently used. In addition, in a medical electronic apparatus, for example, an image diagnosis apparatus such as an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an input operation of advanced control information required by an operator is facilitated.
JP 2004-086928 A (first page, FIG. 1)

  However, according to the above background art, the operation of the capacitive touch sensor may become unstable. That is, the capacitive touch sensor is easily affected by external electric field noise and may cause a malfunction.

  In particular, in the medical field, the unstable operation of the medical electronic device is not preferable for the operator, and is a cause for hesitation to use the capacitive touch sensor for the medical electronic device.

  For these reasons, it is important how to realize an ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a medical electronic apparatus having an operation panel using a capacitive touch sensor that is not easily affected by external electric field noise.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the background art, and is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus having an operation panel using a capacitive touch sensor that is not easily affected by external electric field noise and medical electronics. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the invention includes an operation panel on which a capacitive touch sensor is disposed, and the capacitive touch sensor. Based on the detected contact sound, the contact position detecting means for detecting the contact position information when the operator makes contact, the first microphone for detecting the contact sound generated when the contact is made, Position detection control means for validating / invalidating the contact position information.

  In the invention according to the first aspect, the contact position information is correctly valid when there is a contact sound, and the contact position information is incorrect and invalid when there is no contact sound.

  The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the contact position detecting means detects a change in capacitance when the operator contacts. Means are provided.

  In the second aspect of the invention, the operator's contact is detected by the change in capacity.

  The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the invention of the third aspect is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the contact position detection means turns on and off the output of the contact position information. A gate unit that invalidates the contact position information is provided.

  In the invention according to the third aspect, the contact position information is validated / invalidated by turning on and off the gate unit that outputs the contact position information.

  The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the invention of the fourth aspect is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the position detection control means is synchronized with the detection of the contact sound for a predetermined time. Only the gate part is turned on.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, the gate portion is turned on in synchronization with the contact sound, and the contact position information is output in an effective state.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first microphone is the capacitive touch sensor. Is provided in the vicinity, and a main sensitivity region of the detected sound is provided on a contact surface on which an operator of the capacitive touch sensor comes into contact.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, the first microphone efficiently detects the contact sound of the capacitive touch sensor.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the position detection control means is the first acoustic information detected by the first microphone. To contact sound extraction means for extracting the contact sound.

  In the invention according to the sixth aspect, the noise included in the first acoustic information is removed by the contact sound extraction means.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the contact sound extraction means is in contact with an operator of the capacitive touch sensor. And a second microphone that does not have a main sensitivity region of the detected sound.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, the noise component other than the contact sound is detected by the second microphone.

  An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the contact sound extraction means is detected by the first microphone. Difference acoustic information obtained by subtracting the second acoustic information detected by the second microphone from the second acoustic information is obtained.

  In the invention of the eighth aspect, the differential acoustic information includes a contact sound in which a noise component is reduced.

  The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the contact sound extraction means includes the first acoustic information or A band-pass filter that performs frequency filtering on the differential acoustic information is provided.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, the noise component included in the first acoustic information or the differential acoustic information is removed by the band pass filter.

  The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the invention of the tenth aspect is the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the ninth aspect, wherein the bandpass filters are connected in parallel, and a plurality of bandpass filters of different frequency bands are connected. It is characterized by including.

  In the invention of the tenth aspect, even when the capacitive touch sensor emits a plurality of different contact sounds, the contact sounds are separated and extracted by the band pass filter.

  The medical electronic device according to the invention of the eleventh aspect includes an operation panel on which a capacitive touch sensor is disposed, and contact position information when an operator makes contact with the capacitive touch sensor. A contact position detecting means for detecting a contact sound, a first microphone for detecting a contact sound generated when the contact is made, and a position detection control means for validating / invalidating the contact position information based on the detected contact sound. Is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an operation panel that uses a highly reliable capacitive touch sensor that is not easily affected by external electric field noise.

  The best mode for carrying out an ultrasonic imaging apparatus which is a medical electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.

  First, the overall configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a probe unit 101, a transmission / reception unit 102, an image processing unit 103, an image memory unit 104, an image display control unit 105, a display unit 106, an input unit 107, a control unit 108, a first unit. A second microphone 99 and a second microphone 99.

  The probe unit 101 irradiates ultrasonic waves in a specific direction of the subject 1 for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, that is, the subject 1, and uses ultrasonic signals reflected from the inside of the subject 1 as time-series sound rays. Receive. The probe unit 101 performs electronic scanning while sequentially switching the irradiation direction of ultrasonic waves at the same time. In addition, inside the probe unit 101, piezoelectric elements (not shown) are arranged in an array.

  The transmission / reception unit 102 is connected to the probe unit 101 by a coaxial cable (cable), generates an electrical signal for driving the piezoelectric element of the probe unit 101, and performs first-stage amplification of the received ultrasonic signal.

  The image processing unit 103 forms tomographic image information from the ultrasonic signal amplified by the transmission / reception unit 102. Specific processing contents include, for example, delay addition processing of received ultrasonic signals, A / D (analog / digital) conversion processing, and converted digital information as image information such as B-mode image information. This is a process of writing in the image memory unit 104 to be described later.

  The image memory unit 104 is an image memory for storing image information such as B-mode image information. The image memory unit 104 accumulates time-varying B-mode image information together with time information. The image display control unit 105 performs display frame rate conversion of the B-mode image information generated by the image processing unit 103 and controls the shape and position of the display image of the B-mode image information. In addition, a region of interest (ROI) indicating a region of interest on the display image of the B-mode image is also displayed.

  The display unit 106 uses the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like to display the display frame rate conversion and the image display shape and position controlled information to the operator by the image display control unit 105. Visible display.

  The input unit 107 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, and transmits an operation input signal input by the operator to the control unit 108. For example, the input unit 107 sets the position of the ROI or pointer located on the display image of the display unit 106, and determines the ROI position or inputs the pointer. The input unit 107 will be described in detail later.

  The control unit 108 controls the operation of each unit of the above-described ultrasonic imaging apparatus based on the operation input signal given from the input unit 107 and the program (program) and data (data) stored in advance, and displays the B on the display unit 106. Display mode images.

  The first microphone 98 collects contact sounds generated when an operator touches the operation panel of the input unit 107 and inputs control information, patient information, and the like, and converts them into an electrical signal. As will be described later, the first microphone 98 is arranged to have a main sensitivity region of sound detected on the operation panel of the input unit 107.

  The second microphone 99 collects sound generated in a region other than the operation panel and converts it into an electric signal. Therefore, the second microphone 99 is arranged so as not to have a main sensitivity area of sound detected on the operation panel of the input unit 107.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel (panel) 29 of the input unit 107. The operation panel 29 includes a keyboard 20, a TGC (Time Gain Controller) 21, a patient designation unit 22 including a new patient key, and a track ball that is a pointing device. A measurement input unit 23 including ROI settings is included. A first microphone 98 and a second microphone 99 are mounted on the surface of the operation panel 29, and the first microphone 98 is arranged so that the directivity characteristic of sensitivity is located on the surface of the operation panel 29. The second microphone 99 is arranged at a position where the directivity characteristic of the sensitivity is not sensitive to the surface of the operation panel 29.

  Here, as an example, a case where the keyboard 20 is configured using a capacitive touch panel is shown below. The other functions such as the TGC 21, the patient designating unit 22, and the measurement input unit 23 including a trackball can be configured using the capacitive touch panel in the same manner.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical configuration of the capacitive touch panel 31 disposed on the keyboard 20 portion of the operation panel 29. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing the capacitive touch panel 31 that forms the keyboard 20 as viewed from the direction of the contact surface of the operator. FIG. 3B is an explanatory view of the capacitive touch panel 31 shown in FIG.

  The capacitive touch panel 31 includes a conductor pattern 32, a conductor pattern 33, and an insulating sheet 34. As shown in FIG. 3B, a conductor pattern 32 composed of parallel array-like conductor patterns is disposed on one surface of an insulating sheet 34, and the other surface is perpendicular to the conductor pattern 32. An array of conductor patterns 33 arranged in a row is arranged. As shown in FIG. 3A, the conductor pattern 32 is composed of parallel conductor patterns arranged with a constant interval, and the conductor pattern 33 has a constant interval in a direction orthogonal to the conductor pattern 32. Are arranged.

  Here, the conductor pattern 32 and the conductor pattern 33 have a plurality of overlapping points 35 that overlap via the insulating sheet 34. At the overlapping point 35, the conductor pattern 32 and the conductor pattern 33 perform a three-dimensional intersection, and an electric capacity is generated between the conductor pattern 32 and the conductor pattern 33. This electric capacity is determined by the thickness of the insulating sheet 34 and the widths of the conductor pattern 32 and the conductor pattern 33.

  On the other hand, when the operator's finger comes into contact with the overlapping point 35, the value of the electric capacity changes due to electrostatic induction of the finger as a conductor. The contact position of the operator is determined by specifying the vertical and horizontal pattern positions where the electric capacity changes in the conductor pattern 32 and the conductor pattern 33 arranged in an array. Note that a protective film (not shown) for protecting the conductor pattern 32 or 33 from chemicals, water, dust, or the like is present on the side of the capacitive touch panel 31 where the operator contacts.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the capacitive touch panel 31 of the input unit 107 and an electronic circuit disposed in the vicinity thereof. The input unit 107 includes a capacitive touch panel 31, switches 41 and 42, capacitance change detection means 43, contact position detection means 47, first and second microphones 98 and 99, and position detection control means 45. Further, the contact position detection means 47 includes a position detection unit 44 and a gate unit 46.

  The switch 41 is an electronic analog switch, and selects one pattern from a plurality of conductor patterns 33 that run in the lateral direction, and is connected to the output to the capacitance change detecting means 43. When the number of parallel patterns of the conductor pattern 33 is m, the switch 42 forms an m-to-1 electronic switch. The connection switching of the switch 41 is performed by a control signal from the position detection unit 44.

  The switch 42 is an electronic analog switch, and selects one pattern from the plurality of conductor patterns 32 running in the vertical direction and connects it to the output to the capacitance change detecting means 43. If the number of parallel patterns of the conductor pattern 32 is n, the switch 42 forms an n-to-1 electronic switch. The connection switching of the switch 42 is performed by a control signal from the position detection unit 44.

  The capacitance change detecting means 43 detects the electric capacity generated between the conductor patterns 32 and 33, and detects whether or not the electric capacity has changed from a predetermined value. The capacitance is detected in synchronization with the switching signals of the switches 41 and 42 input from the position detector 44. For example, a constant current is passed between the conductor patterns 32 and 33 until a predetermined voltage is reached. This is done by detecting time. When this time changes beyond a predetermined threshold, a capacitance change detection signal is transmitted to the position detection unit 44.

  The position detector 44 generates a switching signal for switching the switches 41 and 42. In this switching signal, the conductor pattern 32 arranged in the horizontal direction and the conductor pattern 33 arranged in the vertical direction are selected in order, and the measurement of the electric capacity is repeatedly performed at all the overlapping points 35. The position detection unit 44 receives the capacitance change detection signal from the capacitance change detection means 43, and at the same time, the position information of the conductor patterns 32 and 33 indicated by the switching signal at that time, that is, the conductor patterns 32 and 33 three-dimensionally intersect. The position information of the overlapping point 35 is formed and transmitted to the gate unit 46. When the capacitive touch panel 31 is the keyboard 20 as shown in FIG. 2, key code information corresponding to the position information can be output.

  The gate unit 46 turns on / off the position information output from the position detection unit 44 to the control unit 108 based on the gate control signal transmitted from the position detection control means 45. When the gate signal is on, the contact position information output from the position detection unit 44 is transmitted to the control unit 108, and the position information is validated. When the gate signal is off, the position information is It is not sent to the control unit and is invalid.

  The position detection control unit 45 transmits position information transmitted from the position detection unit 44 to the control unit 108 based on the first and second acoustic signals detected by the first microphone 98 and the second microphone 99. A gate signal for turning on / off is generated. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the position detection control means 45. The position detection control means 45 includes a contact sound extraction means 50 and a gate signal generator 54. The contact sound extraction means 50 includes an amplifier 51, an inverting amplifier 52, and an adder 53.

  The amplifier 51 amplifies the first acoustic information detected by the first microphone 98. The inverting amplifier 52 amplifies the second acoustic information detected by the second microphone 99. The adder 53 adds the outputs of the amplifier 51 and the inverting amplifier 52, obtains a difference between the first and second acoustic signals detected by the first microphone 98 and the second microphone 99, and generates differential acoustic information. To do. As a result, the noise component is reduced from the acoustic signal of the first microphone 98, and only the contact sound that the operator touches the capacitive touch panel 31 is extracted. Note that the amplifier 51 and the inverting amplifier 52 have gain adjusting means (not shown) and are adjusted so that the noise component is minimized.

  The gate signal generator 54 generates a gate signal that turns on the gate unit 46 in synchronization with the detected contact sound. This gate signal is turned on for at least the time of scanning all the overlapping points 35 of the capacitive touch panel 31 once. Note that the gate unit 46 is in an on state, and the position information from the position detection unit 44 can pass to the control unit 108.

  Next, the operation of the input unit 107 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. The timing chart shown in FIG. 6 shows the time change of the signal in each part of the input unit 107 on a plurality of common time axes arranged in the vertical direction.

  The position information shown at the top of the timing chart is information transmitted through a signal line 2 input from the position detection unit 44 to the gate unit 46 shown in FIG. The position information is position information indicating the positions of the conductor patterns 32 and 33 when the conductor patterns 32 and 33 of the capacitive touch panel 31 are scanned and a change in capacitance is detected at any of the overlapping points 35.

  The contact sound information shown in the timing chart is information transmitted through the signal line 3 input to the gate signal generator 54 from the contact sound extraction means 50 of the position detection control means 45 shown in FIG. The contact sound information is information on a contact sound that is generated when an operator touches the capacitive touch panel 31.

  The gate signal shown in the timing chart is information transmitted through the signal line 4 input to the gate unit 46 from the position detection control means 45 shown in FIG. The gate signal is a signal that is generated by using the contact sound information as a trigger and sets the gate unit 46 to an on state in which the position information passes.

  The gate output shown in the timing chart is information transmitted through the signal line 5 input from the gate unit 46 shown in FIG. 4 to the control unit 108. The gate output is transmitted to the control unit 108 and processed as an operation signal input from the input unit 107.

  When the contact sound information is detected together with the position information, the position information is valid, the gate signal is turned on, the position information passes through the gate unit 46, and a gate output is generated. On the other hand, when the contact sound information is not detected together with the position information, the position information is invalid, and no gate signal is generated as shown in the second half of the timing chart of FIG. 6, and therefore there is no gate output.

  As an example of the case where the contact sound information is not detected together with the position information, there is a case where external electric field noise or the like is detected and the capacitance change detecting means 43 or the position detecting unit 44 malfunctions.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the gate unit 46 is turned on / off based on the contact sound of the operator detected by the first microphone 98, and when there is no contact sound information, the position information is controlled by the control unit. 108 is prevented from being transmitted to the control unit 108 even when the position detection unit 44 malfunctions due to external electric field noise or the like and outputs position information. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the difference between the acoustic signals detected by the first microphone 98 and the second microphone 99 is taken and the contact sound when the operator touches the operation panel is extracted. It is also possible to extract only the sound having the frequency band of the contact sound by using a pass filter.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the position detection control means 75 and the contact sound extraction means 70 to which the band pass filter 71 is added. The contact sound extraction means 70 is obtained by adding a band-pass filter 71 to the contact sound extraction means 50 shown in FIG. The band pass filter 71 is connected to the adder 53, and the output signal of the adder 53 is input.

  Here, the frequency band of the band-pass filter 71 is matched with the frequency band of the contact sound measured in advance by experiments. This contact sound is a sound generated when the operator contacts the capacitive touch panel of the operation panel. Here, the sound generated when touching varies depending on the target detection operation of the capacitive touch panel. For example, the detection operation of the keyboard 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a touch sound generated when the operator presses the capacitive touch panel with a finger. On the other hand, when the capacitive touch panel is changed to a trace or rotating operation by a trackball or a knob on the operation panel 29, the first microphone 98 is a capacitive type. A rubbing sound or a rubbing sound when the operator's finger placed on the touch panel moves is detected.

  These touch sounds, rubbing sounds, rubbing sounds, and the like are different sounds and may have different frequency bands. Here, the frequency band of the band pass filter 71 is assumed to coincide with these frequency bands. Since the capacitive touch panel can detect both of these operations, a plurality of band-pass filters 71 are arranged in parallel on the contact sound extraction means 70, and these different sounds are individually detected and individually gated. Signals can also be generated to control position information. Note that the contact sound extraction means 70 can also be composed of only the band pass filter 71 except for the amplifier 51, the inverting amplifier 52, and the adder 53.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of an ultrasonic imaging device. It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the input part concerning embodiment. It is an external view which shows the electrostatic capacitance type touch panel concerning embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input part concerning embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the position detection control means concerning embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows operation of an input part concerning an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows another form of a contact sound extraction means.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Subject 2, 3, 4, 5 Signal line 20 Keyboard 22 Patient designation part 23 Measurement input part 29 Operation panel 31 Capacitive touch panel 32, 33 Conductive pattern 34 Insulation sheet 35 Superimposition point 41, 42 Switch 43 Capacitance change detection Means 44 Position detection section 45 Position detection control means 46 Gate section 47 Contact position detection means 50 Contact sound extraction means 51 Amplifier 52 Inverting amplifier 53 Adder 54 Gate signal generator 70 Contact sound extraction means 71 Band pass filter 75 Position detection control means 98, 99 Microphone 101 Probe unit 102 Transmission / reception unit 103 Image processing unit 104 Image memory unit 105 Image display control unit 106 Display unit 107 Input unit 108 Control unit

Claims (11)

An operation panel on which a capacitive touch sensor is disposed;
Contact position detection means for detecting contact position information when an operator makes contact with the capacitive touch sensor;
A first microphone for detecting a contact sound generated when the contact is made;
Based on the detected contact sound, position detection control means for validating and invalidating the contact position information;
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact position detection unit includes a capacitance change detection unit that detects a capacitance change when an operator touches.   3. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact position detection unit includes a gate unit that enables and disables the contact position information by turning on and off the output of the contact position information. 4.   The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the position detection control unit turns on the gate unit for a predetermined time in synchronization with detection of the contact sound.   The first microphone is disposed in the vicinity of the capacitive touch sensor, and includes a main sensitivity region of detected sound on a contact surface that an operator of the capacitive touch sensor contacts. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic imaging apparatus is characterized.   The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the position detection control unit includes a contact sound extraction unit that extracts the contact sound from first acoustic information detected by the first microphone. .   The said contact sound extraction means is equipped with the 2nd microphone which does not have the main sensitivity area | regions of the sound to detect on the contact surface which the operator of the said capacitance-type touch sensor contacts. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus described.   The contact sound extraction means obtains differential acoustic information obtained by subtracting first acoustic information detected by the first microphone and second acoustic information detected by the second microphone. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 7.   The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the contact sound extraction unit includes a band-pass filter that performs frequency filtering on the first acoustic information or the differential acoustic information. .   The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the band pass filter includes a plurality of band pass filters of different frequency bands connected in parallel. An operation panel on which a capacitive touch sensor is disposed;
Contact position detection means for detecting contact position information when an operator makes contact with the capacitive touch sensor;
A first microphone for detecting a contact sound generated when the contact is made;
Based on the detected contact sound, position detection control means for validating and invalidating the contact position information;
A medical electronic device comprising:

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