JP2011161005A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve the same operability and procedure as those when an input device can be used without being tainted with fingerprints and scratches within an image display area even under the conditions where the input device cannot be used, in an ultrasonograph equipped with a touch panel on its monitor. <P>SOLUTION: Areas C1-C4 as effective operational areas are provided between four sides of an ultrasonograph image display area A and operating parts display areas B1-B4. The areas are each virtually allocated for various input devices arranged on an operation panel. Encoder knobs 202, 203 are respectively allocated in operational areas C2, C3. Various functions are set for the operation of each input device by a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a display device with a touch panel and an input device.

  A conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an input device as shown in FIG. 6 and a display unit with a touch panel. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, using a variety of input devices arranged on the operation panel 100, a desired image is acquired and various processes are performed on the acquired image. As an input device, hard keys such as a trackball, a key switch, a slide resistance, and an encoder knob are generally used. These input devices are assigned frequently used functions and can be customized for each user. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, it is common that the positional relationship between the operation panel 100 and the display unit with the touch panel can be changed and used in various installation forms.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, it is conceivable that a situation in which the input device arranged on the operation panel 100 cannot be used as a result of the form change occurs. In such a case, in order to acquire a desired image only by operating the touch panel, an operation effective area is provided in the touch panel, and the function assigned in advance is realized by operating the area with fingers and tools. A technique to do this has already been proposed. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
However, in the prior art according to Patent Document 1 as described above, since the operation effective area is provided in the image display area, the screen is soiled with fingerprints and scratches. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to see the ultrasonic image.
Further, in the prior art, there is an operation effective area as shown in FIG. 8 set in an area (102, 103, 104, 105) adjacent to the monitor frame 101 in the touch panel (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2009-10774 A JP 2009-207589 A

  However, due to the recent increase in the size of monitors and the arrangement of display parts such as SW (hereinafter referred to as operation parts) provided for many operations around the image, the range to be operated by the user (movement range of the operator's hand) However, as the viewpoint becomes far and wide and the viewpoint deviates from the target image, it may become impossible to concentrate on the inspection. Therefore, improvement in workability has been desired.

  The present invention takes into consideration the above-mentioned demands of the prior art, and the operation effective area is not an area adjacent to the monitor frame in the touch panel, but is closer to an ultrasonic image, and the movement range of the operator's hand is made as narrow as possible. Prevents the viewpoint from coming off the target image, allows you to concentrate on the inspection, realizes operability and procedures that are the same as when operating the input device on the operation panel, without contaminating the image display area, and improves workability An object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which an operation effective area is provided between an ultrasonic image display area and an operation component display area in a touch panel. The input device is virtually assigned and has a control means for operating the input device in accordance with the operation content of the operation effective area.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, when the operation effective area is double-clicked, a process corresponding to pressing the button of the corresponding input device is performed.
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, when the operation effective area is operated, the operation effective area blinks or changes the brightness to notify the operator of the operation status.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, when the operation effective area is operated, a click sound is generated to notify the operator of the operation status.

  With this configuration, the display area where the ultrasonic image is displayed is not touched, and the display portion of the ultrasonic image is prevented from becoming dirty due to fingerprints or scratches, and operability is maintained even when the input device cannot be used. The operability and procedure that are the same as when using the input device can be realized.

  According to the present invention, even when the input device arranged on the operation panel cannot be used as a result of the form change, the operability is the same as when the input device is used without being smudged with fingerprints or scratches in the image display area. The procedure can be realized.

Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display (laptop form) of one Embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display (tablet form) of one Embodiment of the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on this invention (A) Explanatory drawing which shows the time of operation start among the state transitions of the example of a display which touches and changes the brightness | luminance of the ultrasonic image P in one Embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device based on this invention, (b) Drag Figure showing the display state after (A) In another display example of the embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, in the state transition of double-clicking to enlarge the image, an explanatory diagram showing the operation start time, (b) after double-clicking Showing the display status of 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. Schematic diagram of an embodiment of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus Schematic diagram of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment with different installation forms of the prior art Schematic diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an operation area on a monitor frame of a conventional touch panel

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 are explanatory views showing display examples of an embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. (More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a laptop form, and FIG. 2 shows a tablet form.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that executes the above display control. First, the display device with a touch panel includes a display device 4 and a touch panel 5. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 2 controls the ultrasonic transmission of the ultrasonic probe 1 and reception of the reflected signal, and the signal processing unit 3 processes the received reflected signal and displays an ultrasonic image on the display device 4. Display control is performed.

  The control unit 10 includes an input information control unit 11, a function assignment control unit 12, a screen display control unit 13, and a touch panel input information determination unit 14.

The input information control unit 11 receives user operation information (event) for the input device on the operation panel 6. The function assignment control unit 12 determines a function to be executed from the received key input information. The screen display control unit 13 executes display control.
In particular, the touch panel input information determination unit 14 determines an input device assigned to the touch pad area C, and transmits it to the input information control unit 11 together with the received drag content (direction, speed, movement distance, etc.), thereby enabling input. It implements virtual device allocation processing.
A more specific description will be given focusing on the input information control unit 11 described above.

  First, regions C1 to C4 are provided as operation effective areas between the four sides of the ultrasonic image display region A and the operation component display regions B1 to B4. These areas are virtually assigned to various input devices arranged on the operation panel 100, and are usually hidden as colors similar to the base color around the ultrasound image, and are particularly important before operation. It is not explicitly stated. The ultrasonic image P displayed in the ultrasonic image display area A varies depending on the input device assigned to the areas C1 to C4 and the drag content (direction, speed, moving distance, etc.). For this reason, even in a situation where the input device cannot be used, the operability and procedure that are the same as when using the input device can be realized without contaminating the ultrasonic image display area with fingerprints or scratches.

  Here, the example of the content which changes the ultrasonic image P of the ultrasonic image display area A is demonstrated more concretely.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, an encoder knob 201, an encoder knob 202, an encoder knob 203, and a trackball 204 arranged on the operation panel are assigned to the operation effective areas C1, C2, C3, and C4, respectively. And In addition, it is assumed that the following functions (the main description of functions in parentheses) are set by the user for the operation of each input device. (1) Encoder knob 201: Focus (changes the focus point of the ultrasonic image P in the ultrasonic image display area A.)
When rotating: Focus position change When pressing a button: Focus stage number change (2) Encoder knob 202: Change in luminance (changes the luminance of the ultrasonic image P in the ultrasonic image display area A.)
-When rotating: Change brightness-When pressing button: Cine automatic playback (3) Encoder knob 203: Change in depth (changes the depth of the ultrasonic image P in the ultrasonic image display area A)
・ When rotating: Change depth ・ When pressing button: Change Zoom
(4) Encoder knob trackball: Cursor / image operation (Performs operations related to the measurement cursor and images displayed on the display device.)
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIG. 3 shows an operation when the ultrasonic image P in the ultrasonic image display area A is changed using the operation effective area C.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the operator touches the operation effective area C2 with the finger F, at least the color of the area (operation effective area C2) changes from the color around the original ultrasonic image, and the operation effective area. Will be visible. When the user further drags from the touched state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the apparatus main body side determines that the rotation operation of the encoder knob 202 assigned in advance to the operation effective area C2 is made, and depends on the drag direction and the movement distance thereof. Thus, the brightness of the ultrasound image P in the ultrasound image display area A is set to be changed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, for example, when the operation effective area C3 is double-clicked with a finger F within a predetermined time, the device side has been allocated in advance as shown in FIG. 4B. It is determined that the button of the encoder knob 203 has been pressed, and the ultrasonic image P in the ultrasonic image display area A can be zoomed.

  In this way, the present invention is closer to an ultrasound image, narrows the range of motion of the operator's hand as much as possible, thereby preventing the viewpoint from being deviated from the target image, allowing the user to concentrate on the inspection, and displaying the image. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that realizes operability and procedures that are the same as those at the time of operating an input device on an operation panel without contaminating the area, and has good workability.

  When the operator operates the operation effective area, the above description shows that the color is changed. However, the corresponding area may be blinked or the luminance may be changed, and a sound may be emitted together. Also good. Furthermore, the sound is not only the volume but also the tone or the sound is emitted at every certain distance of movement, for example, by generating a click sound to simulate the click feeling of the encoder knob on the operation panel, the operation situation is more realistic Can be notified to the operator. Thus, you may make it sound in the format according to the rule set arbitrarily.

  In addition, the amount of change may be proportional to the amount of movement, or may be changed in series, logarithmically, or in stages, so that the specifications at the time of shipment, service personnel, or operator It is possible to further improve workability by making it possible to arbitrarily set.

  As described above, the present invention can realize an operability and a procedure that are the same as those at the time of operating the input device on the operation panel without smearing the image display area, and can realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with good workability.

  The operation area of the present invention is provided as a linear and effective operation area in the vertical and horizontal directions between the four sides of the ultrasonic image display area A and the operation component display areas B1 to B4. Since there is no particular step on the flat plate, the operator does not always move within the operation area when dragging. Therefore, in the present invention, for example, even when the operator's finger moves away from the operation area during dragging, the length of the linear component of the operation area related to the movement trajectory is determined as the operation length. Is raised.

  According to the present invention, by providing an operation effective area between the image display area and the operation component display area in the touch panel, it can be used without degrading operability even in a situation where the input device cannot be used. This has the effect of making the image easy to see, and can be used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Ultrasonic transmission / reception part 3 Signal processing part 4 Display apparatus 5 Touch panel 6 Operation panel 10 Control part 11 Input information control part 12 Function assignment control part 13 Screen display control part 14 Touch panel input determination part A Ultrasonic image Display area B1, B2, B3, B4 Operation part display area C1, C2, C3, C4 Operation effective area F Finger P Ultrasound image

Claims (4)

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an operation effective area between an image display area and an operation component display area in a touch panel,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a control unit in which a specific input device is virtually assigned to the operation effective area, and the operation of the input device is performed according to the operation content of the operation effective area. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the operation effective area is double-clicked, processing corresponding to a button press of the corresponding input device is performed. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the operation effective area is operated, the operation effective area blinks or changes in luminance, and the operation status is notified to the operator. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the operation effective area is operated, a click sound is generated and an operation state is notified to an operator.