JP2012175633A - Image display device, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prompt three-dimensional viewing of a three-dimensional image corresponding to a viewing target image when the image is two-dimensionally displayed.SOLUTION: An image representing a predetermined content is two-dimensionally displayed (#6), it is determined based on incidental information whether images for three-dimensionally displaying the predetermined content being two-dimensionally displayed exist in image storage means for storing a plurality of images in association with the incidental information (#7), and if it is determined that the images for three-dimensionally displaying the content exist (#7; YES), the determination result is reported (#8).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display technique, and more particularly to a technique that promotes observation of an image under stereoscopic display using the principle of binocular parallax.

  A stereoscopic display technique using the principle of binocular parallax is known. Specifically, this stereoscopic display technology generates parallax images for the left and right eyes by imaging the same subject from different positions corresponding to the left and right eyes, and generates the generated parallax images for each eye. It is given independently to the left and right eyes of the observer. Thus, the observer can recognize the subject represented in each parallax image as a stereoscopic image with a sense of depth.

  This stereoscopic display technology is being used not only in the field of digital cameras and televisions, but also in the medical field such as radiation diagnostic equipment such as mammography and endoscopy equipment.

  In order to perform stereoscopic viewing of an image, a dedicated image display device (hereinafter, a stereoscopic image display device) is required. As the stereoscopic image display device, for example, a polarization filter method that outputs the left and right parallax images in a superimposed manner with a half mirror, and separates and outputs the parallax images to the left and right eyes with glasses with polarization filters, Special display such as a frame-sequential system that displays only the parallax images corresponding to the left and right eyes with glasses having a liquid crystal shutter that alternately switches the left and right visual fields in synchronization with the switching and displays each parallax image A system using glasses is known. There is also known a naked eye type in which left and right parallax images are spatially divided and displayed, and only parallax images corresponding to the left and right eyes are given by a parallax barrier, a lenticular lens, or the like.

  In addition, as a management method of an image file including image data of each parallax image for stereoscopic display and an image for planar display, the image data is identified by the identification information associated with each image data and the extension of each image file. And a method for identifying whether an image file is for stereoscopic display or for planar display. Under this management method, the image generation apparatus generates both stereoscopic display image data and planar display image data for a certain content, and the image display apparatus uses image data identification information and Based on the extension of the image file, an appropriate image can be read and displayed. In other words, the stereoscopic image display device reads each parallax image for stereoscopic display and performs stereoscopic display. In a normal image display device that does not support stereoscopic display (hereinafter, referred to as planar image display device). Further, it is possible to perform planar display by reading an image for planar display (Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-124768 A

  However, under the management method described in Patent Document 1, an observer who observes an image with a planar image display device knows whether there is a stereoscopic parallax image corresponding to the displayed image. Since this is not possible, it may happen that the opportunity to stereoscopically observe the image is missed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when an image to be observed is displayed in plan view, it is possible to promote stereoscopic observation of a stereoscopic image corresponding to the image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus and method, and a program.

  The image display device of the present invention includes an image storage unit that stores a plurality of images in association with the auxiliary information of the image in an apparatus including a planar display unit that displays an image representing a predetermined content in a planar view. When there is an image for stereoscopic display, and a stereoscopic availability determination unit that determines, based on the supplementary information, whether or not an image for stereoscopic display of the predetermined content displayed in plan view exists. An informing means for informing the result of the judgment when it is judged is provided.

  The image display method according to the present invention is a method in which a computer displays an image representing a predetermined content in a plan view on display means connected to the computer, and the processing steps executed by the computer include a plurality of images. It is determined based on the supplementary information whether there is an image for stereoscopic display of the predetermined content displayed in a plan view in the image storage means for storing the information in association with the supplementary information of the image. And a step of notifying a result of the determination when it is determined that an image for stereoscopic display is present.

  An image display program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a process of causing an image representing a predetermined content to be displayed in a plan view on a display unit connected to the computer, and for causing the computer to display a plurality of images. Determining, based on the supplementary information, whether or not an image for stereoscopic display of the predetermined content displayed in a planar view exists in the image storage means for storing in association with the supplementary information; When it is determined that there is an image for stereoscopic display, a step of notifying a result of the determination is executed.

  In the present invention, the “accompanying information” may include identification information for identifying whether each image is for stereoscopic display, and the determination may be performed based on the identification information. Alternatively, the “accompanying information” includes an image acquisition date and time, and the stereoscopic display is performed when there is an image that is close enough to meet the acquisition date and time of the planar display and a predetermined criterion. It may be determined that there is an image for this purpose.

  In the present invention, both a stereoscopic display and a planar display of an image representing the predetermined content are configured to be possible, and the planar display mode for performing the planar display of the predetermined content, and the predetermined content The selection with the stereoscopic display mode in which the stereoscopic display is performed may be received, and the determination may be performed in the planar display mode.

  The “image storage unit” may be included in the image display device of the present invention, a computer that executes the method and program of the present invention, or an external image storage device.

  According to the present invention, whether or not there is an image for stereoscopically displaying a predetermined content displayed in a planar view is stored in the image storage unit that stores a plurality of images in association with the auxiliary information based on the auxiliary information. If it is determined that there is an image for stereoscopic display, the determination result can be notified, so even if the image to be observed is displayed in plan view, It is possible to promote stereoscopic observation of the stereoscopic image corresponding to the image. Therefore, it is possible to give the observer motivation to perform stereoscopic observation.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a medical image diagnostic system in which a medical image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is introduced. Schematic configuration diagram of breast imaging system Schematic cross-sectional view showing the arm part of the mammography apparatus Block diagram showing schematic configuration and peripheral devices etc. inside computer of breast imaging system The figure showing an example of the file structure in case the image data for right and left eyes are stored in one image file. The figure showing the registration example of the image database in case the image data for right and left eyes is stored in one image file The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the medical image display apparatus in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart showing the flow of the medical image display process in the embodiment of the present invention. The figure showing the 1st example of a file structure in case image data for right and left eyes is stored in a separate image file. The figure showing the 1st registration example of the image database in case image data for right and left eyes is stored in a separate image file The figure showing the 2nd example of the file structure in case the image data for right and left eyes are stored in a separate image file. The figure showing the 2nd example of registration of an image database in case image data for right and left eyes is stored in a separate image file

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where stereoscopic display of an image obtained by stereo imaging of a breast is promoted. In addition, in order to make it easy to visually recognize, the scale of each component in the drawing is appropriately changed from the actual one.

  FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an outline of a medical image diagnostic system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this system, a modality 100, an image storage server 200, and an image processing workstation 300 are connected via a network 900 based on a protocol such as DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine). Connected in a communicable state.

  The modality 100 includes an apparatus that captures an examination target region of a subject, generates image data of an image representing the region, adds additional information described later to the image data, and outputs the image data as image information. It is. Specific examples include an X-ray imaging apparatus using a flat panel X-ray detector, CT, MRI, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mammography system 100a as an example of the modality 100 used in this embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows an arm portion of the mammography system 100a shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the computer of the mammography system 100a shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mammography system 100a of the present embodiment includes a mammography apparatus 10, a computer 8 connected to the mammography apparatus 10, a monitor 9 connected to the computer 8, and an input unit 7. And.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mammography apparatus 10 includes a base 11, a rotary shaft 12 that can move in the vertical direction (Z direction) with respect to the base 11, and can rotate. The arm part 13 connected with the base 11 is provided. FIG. 3 shows the arm 13 viewed from the right direction in FIG.

  The arm portion 13 has an alphabet C shape, and a radiation table 16 is attached to one end of the arm portion 13 so as to face the imaging table 14 at the other end. The rotation and vertical movement of the arm unit 13 are controlled by an arm controller 31 incorporated in the base 11.

  A radiographic image detector 15 such as a flat panel detector and a detector controller 33 that controls reading of a charge signal from the radiographic image detector 15 are provided inside the imaging table 14. Further, inside the imaging table 14, a charge amplifier that converts the charge signal read from the radiation image detector 15 into a voltage signal, a correlated double sampling circuit that samples the voltage signal output from the charge amplifier, A circuit board provided with an AD conversion unit for converting a voltage signal into a digital signal is also installed.

  In addition, the photographing table 14 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the arm unit 13, and even when the arm unit 13 rotates with respect to the base 11, the direction of the photographing table 14 is fixed to the base 11. can do.

  The radiographic image detector 15 can repeatedly perform recording and reading of radiographic images, and a so-called direct conversion type radiographic image detector that directly receives radiation and generates charges may be used. A so-called indirect conversion type radiation image detector that converts radiation once into visible light and converts the visible light into a charge signal may be used. As a radiation image signal reading method, a radiation image signal is read by turning on / off a TFT (thin film transistor) switch, or by irradiating reading light. It is desirable to use a so-called optical readout system from which a radiation image signal is read out, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other systems may be used. The radiographic image signal output from the radiographic image detector 15 is AD-converted into radiographic image data.

  A radiation source 17 and a radiation source controller 32 are housed in the radiation irradiation unit 16. The radiation source controller 32 controls the timing of irradiating radiation from the radiation source 17 and the radiation generation conditions (tube voltage, tube current, time, tube current time product, etc.) in the radiation source 17.

  Further, in the central portion of the arm portion 13, a compression plate 18 that is disposed above the imaging table 14 and presses and compresses the breast M, a support portion 20 that supports the compression plate 18, and a support portion 20 that extends in the vertical direction. A moving mechanism 19 for moving in the (Z direction) is provided. The position of the compression plate 18 and the compression pressure are controlled by the compression plate controller 34.

  The computer 8 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, and an SSD, and the control unit 8a, the radiation image storage unit 8b, the image shown in FIG. A processing unit 8c and an image transmission unit 8d are configured.

  The controller 8a outputs predetermined control signals to the various controllers 31 to 34 to control the entire system. A specific control method will be described in detail later. The radiation image storage unit 8b stores radiation image data for each imaging angle acquired by the radiation image detector 15. The image processing unit 8c is for performing various image processing on the radiation image data. The image transmission unit 8d is for transmitting the radiation image data to the image storage server 200.

  The input unit 7 includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, for example, and accepts input of shooting conditions and operation instructions by a photographer.

  The monitor 9 is configured to display a stereo image by using the two radiographic image data output from the computer 8 to display the radiographic image for each imaging direction as a two-dimensional image.

  As a configuration for displaying a stereo image, for example, radiographic images based on two radiographic image data are displayed using two screens, and one of the radiographic images is observed by using a half mirror, a polarizing glass, or the like. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a stereo image is displayed by being incident on the right eye of the observer and the other radiation image is incident on the left eye of the observer.

  Or, for example, two radiographic images may be displayed in a superimposed manner while being shifted by a predetermined amount of parallax, and this may be configured to generate a stereo image by observing with a polarizing glass, or a parallax barrier method and a lenticular method As described above, a stereo image may be generated by displaying two radiation images on a stereoscopically viewable 3D liquid crystal.

  Next, the operation of the mammography system 100a of this embodiment will be described.

  First, the breast M is set on the imaging table 14, and the breast M is compressed with a predetermined pressure by the compression plate 18.

  Next, after various imaging conditions including a combination of an angle formed by two different imaging directions (hereinafter referred to as a convergence angle θ) and an imaging angle θ ′ constituting the convergence angle θ are input in the input unit 7, An instruction to start shooting is input.

  When there is an instruction to start photographing at the input unit 7, a stereo image of the breast M is photographed. Specifically, first, the control unit 8 a outputs information about the convergence angle θ and the imaging angle θ ′ constituting the convergence angle θ to the arm controller 31. In the present embodiment, in order to reduce the number of images to be taken, the image for two-dimensional observation and one image for stereoscopic display are combined, so that information on the convergence angle θ at this time is θ = 4. Assuming that the combination of θ ′ = 0 ° and θ ′ = 4 ° is set as the combination of the shooting angles θ ′ constituting the convergence angle θ, this is not restrictive, and the photographer inputs The unit 7 can set an arbitrary convergence angle θ. Note that the convergence angle θ is preferably set to 4 ° or more and 15 ° or less because it is difficult to perform appropriate stereoscopic viewing if the convergence angle θ is too small or too large. Further, the combination of the shooting angles θ ′ is not particularly limited as long as one shooting angle θ ′ is smaller than the other shooting angle θ ′. As a combination of the shooting angle θ ′, the one shooting angle θ ′ described above, that is, the shooting angle θ ′ for shooting an image for two-dimensional observation is preferably 0 °. This is because an image taken from the front of the radiation image detector 15 is most suitable for two-dimensional observation.

  The arm controller 31 receives the information on the convergence angle θ output from the control unit 8a, and the arm controller 31 moves the arm unit 13 in the direction perpendicular to the detection surface 15a based on the information on the convergence angle θ. A control signal is output to obtain a shooting angle θ ′ tilted by 4 °.

  In response to the control signal output from the arm controller 31, the arm portion 13 rotates 4 °. Subsequently, the control unit 8a outputs a control signal to the radiation source controller 32 so as to irradiate an amount of radiation corresponding to the imaging conditions, and controls the detector controller 33 to read out a radiation image. Is output. In accordance with this control signal, an amount of radiation corresponding to the imaging conditions is emitted from the radiation source 17, and a radiation image obtained by imaging the breast M from the direction of the imaging angle θ ′ of 4 ° is detected and detected by the radiation detector 15. The radiological image data is read by the instrument controller 33 and subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 8c, and then stored in the radiographic image storage unit 8b. The radiographic image data with the imaging angle θ ′ of 4 ° is used only as one image for stereoscopic display.

  Subsequently, the arm controller 31 outputs a control signal so that the arm unit 13 is in a direction perpendicular to the imaging table 14. In other words, in the present embodiment, a control signal is output so that the shooting angle θ ′ that sets the arm 13 in the direction perpendicular to the detection surface 15a is 0 °.

  In response to the control signal output from the arm controller 31, the arm portion 13 is in a direction perpendicular to the detection surface 15a. Subsequently, the control unit 8a outputs a control signal to the radiation source controller 32 so as to irradiate an amount of radiation corresponding to the imaging conditions, and controls the detector controller 33 to read out a radiation image. Is output. In response to this control signal, an amount of radiation corresponding to the imaging conditions is emitted from the radiation source 17, and a radiation image obtained by imaging the breast M from the direction where the imaging angle θ ′ is 0 ° is detected by the radiation detector 15. When the imaging is completed, the compression plate 18 is moved to release the compression of the breast M, and the radiation image data is read by the detector controller 33 and subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 8c. It is stored in the storage unit 8b. Note that the radiographic image data having an imaging angle θ ′ of 0 ° serves as both an image for two-dimensional observation and one image for stereoscopic display.

  Next, the image transmission unit 8d stores the two pieces of radiation image data stored in the radiation image storage unit 8b of the computer 8 in an image file having the file structure illustrated in FIG. 5 and transmits the image file to the image storage server 200. In the transmitted image file, as shown in FIG. 5, the header, the left-eye image data, and the right-eye image data are stored in this order. The header includes image data such as a file type for identifying the file format, an image ID for identifying the image, a patient ID for identifying the patient, an examination ID for identifying the examination, an imaging date, modality, an imaging site, an imaging direction, and the like. Associated information is included. Here, the file type is associated with the definition of the file structure as shown in FIG. Therefore, in a program that performs image display processing, which will be described later, a file structure is defined for each value of the file type. When the program is executed, the file type value is first read and the file structure corresponding to the value is read. The data in the file is read. Further, an image data identifier is added to the image data for each eye. In the example of FIG. 5, the image data identifier is “L” or “R” for identifying which image data is for the left or right eye, and a serial number for the case where there are a plurality of image data for each eye. It consists of. That is, one image ID identifies one image file, and the image data for the left and right eyes identified by the image data identifier is stored in the image file identified by the image ID.

  In the mammography system 100a, when a stereo image display is requested by the user, two pieces of radiographic image data stored in the radiographic image storage unit 8b of the computer 8 are read from the radiographic image storage unit 8b. Thereafter, predetermined signal processing is performed and output to the monitor 9, and a stereo image of the breast M is displayed on the monitor 9.

  Further, when a two-dimensional image display is requested by the user, radiation image data with an imaging angle θ ′ of 0 ° is stored in the radiation image among the two radiation image data stored in the radiation image storage unit 8b of the computer 8. After being read from the unit 8 b, predetermined signal processing is performed and output to the monitor 9, and a two-dimensional image of the breast M is displayed on the monitor 9.

  The image storage server 200 is a computer that stores and manages medical image data acquired by the modality 100 and image data of medical images generated by image processing at the image processing workstation 300 in an image database. A device and database management software (for example, ORDB (Object Relational Database) management software) are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image database includes index information including an image ID, a patient ID, an examination ID, an imaging date, a modality, an imaging part, an imaging direction, and the name of an image file in which the image data is stored. The data structure can be a tabular data structure associated with (path, address). Further, in the present embodiment, the record of the image ID = “0000100” in FIG. 6 is the information of the image file having the file structure shown in FIG. 5 obtained by performing the above-described stereo photographing with the breast image photographing system. It shall be expressed.

  The image processing workstation 300 functions as the medical image display device of the present invention. A computer that performs image processing (including image analysis) on medical image data acquired from the modality 100 or the image storage server 200 in response to a request from the image interpreter, and displays the generated image on a display monitor in plan view. Yes, well-known operating system with well-known hardware configuration such as CPU, main storage device, auxiliary storage device, input / output interface, communication interface, input device (mouse, keyboard, etc.), display device (display monitor), data bus, etc. A system or the like is installed. The medical image display process of the present invention is realized by executing a program installed from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The program may be installed after being downloaded from a storage device of a server connected via a network such as the Internet. In the medical image diagnostic system of the present embodiment, an image processing workstation (not shown) having a display monitor capable of stereoscopic display similar to the monitor 9 connected to the mammography system 100a is also connected to the network 900. It is assumed that

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a part related to the medical image display process according to the embodiment of the present invention, among the functions of the image processing workstation 3. As shown in the figure, the medical image display process in the present embodiment includes a patient ID input reception unit 51, an image list acquisition unit 52, a display image selection reception unit 53, a display image acquisition unit 54, an image display control unit 55, a stereoscopic view. This is realized by the availability determination unit 56 and the message display control unit 57. The patient ID (PID), the image list (IDX _n ), the list information (IDX _N ) of the selected display target image, and the display target image file (IMG _N ) are each processed by the above-described processing units. The data is read from and written to a predetermined memory area of the workstation 3. Note that n is a subscript identifying each line of the list information, and N is a subscript of the list line of the image selected as a display target from the list information.

  Next, details of the processing contents of the respective processing units will be described along the flow of medical image display processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of user operation, calculation processing, display processing, and the like under the execution of the medical image display processing software in the present embodiment.

  First, the patient ID input receiving unit 51 presents a user interface for inputting a predetermined patient ID, receives an input operation of the patient ID using a keyboard or a mouse, and stores the input patient ID (PID) in a predetermined memory area. Store (# 1).

The image list acquisition unit 52 reads the input patient ID (PID) from the memory area, and transmits this patient ID (PID) to the image storage server 200 as a search request for acquiring image list information. The image storage server 200 searches the image database using the received patient ID (PID) as a search key, obtains index information (IDX _n ) of the image of the patient ID (PID), and requests the image processing workstation of the request source To 300. The image list acquisition unit 52 receives the index information (IDX _n ) of the image of the patient ID (PID) and stores it in a predetermined memory area (# 2).

The display image selection receiving unit 53 reads the received index information (IDX _n ) from the memory area, and displays the index information (IDX _n ) as a list (# 3). For example, when the patient ID “AB12345” is input by the patient ID input receiving unit 51, in the registration example of the image database illustrated in FIG. 6, the shooting date / time, modality, The imaging part and imaging direction are displayed in a list on the display monitor of the image processing workstation 300. Here, in the case of the image file configuration of FIG. 5, a plurality of image data can correspond to one image ID. However, in the above list display, each image ID is displayed as a list of one line. A person cannot recognize the presence of image data for stereoscopic display.

The display image selection accepting unit 53 accepts a display image selection operation such as, for example, clicking a list row representing the image ID “0000100” with a mouse, and sets index information (IDX _N ) for specifying the selected display image. Store in a predetermined memory area (# 4).

The display image acquiring unit 54 reads the index information of the selected display image (IDX _N) from the memory area, the index information (IDX _N), as a search request for obtaining an image file of an image to be displayed, It transmits to the image storage server 200. The image storage server 200 searches the image database using the received index information (IDX _N ) as a search key, and selects an image file (IMG _N ; “IXR00001” in this example) associated with the index information (IDX _N ). Acquired and transmitted to the requesting image processing workstation 300. The display image acquisition unit 54 receives the image file (IMG _N ) associated with the selected index information (IDX _N ) and stores it in a predetermined memory area (# 5).

The image display control unit 55 reads the received image file (IMG _N ) from the memory area and displays it in a plan view on the display monitor of the image processing workstation 300 (# 6). Here, when a plurality of image data is included in the image file (IMG _N ), the image display control unit 55 selects the image data to be displayed in plan view based on a predetermined condition. Specifically, the head image data may be selected, or the image data identifier having a specific value (“L1” in the example of FIG. 5) may be selected. Further, information on the shooting angle of each image data is stored as incidental information in the image file, and the image display control unit 55 converts the image data whose shooting angle satisfies a predetermined condition into an image to be displayed in plan view. You may make it select as data. In this case, for example, the image data whose shooting angle is closest to 0 ° may be selected.

On the other hand, simultaneously with the planar display of the image, the stereoscopic vision determination unit 56 determines whether each received parallax image for stereoscopic display is included in the received image file (IMG _N ) (# 7). . Specifically, in the embodiment in which a value indicating that the file type is an image file for stereoscopic display is defined as the file type, the stereoscopic availability determination unit 56 performs the above determination based on the value of the file type. be able to. Further, in the file structure illustrated in FIG. 5, the stereoscopic availability determination unit 56 may include image data including “L” in the image data identifier and image data including “R” in the file. It may be determined that stereoscopic viewing is possible.

  When the stereoscopic availability determination unit 56 determines that stereoscopic viewing is possible (# 7; YES), the message display control unit 57 displays a message indicating that effect (for example, “This image is displayed on the stereoscopic display display. Is possible ") on the display monitor (# 8). Note that an icon or the like indicating that may be displayed instead of the message, the message may be output as a sound, or a sound effect or the like indicating that may be output. Further, a combination of these outputs may be performed. On the other hand, when the stereoscopic availability determination unit 56 determines that stereoscopic viewing is not possible (# 7; NO), the image display process is terminated without outputting the message.

  As described above, the present embodiment is a form in which a plurality of parallax images for stereoscopic viewing are stored in one image file, and the stereoscopic availability determination unit 56 includes a stereoscopic view in an image file to be viewed in plane. Whether a plurality of parallax images for visual display are included is determined based on the file type or the image data identifier. Accordingly, whether or not there is an image for stereoscopically displaying the predetermined content displayed in a plan view in the image storage server 200 that stores a plurality of images in association with the auxiliary information is determined based on the auxiliary information. It will be judged. And when it determines with the image for a stereoscopic display existing, the message display control part 57 can alert | report the result of the determination. Therefore, even when the image to be observed is displayed in a plan view, a display monitor capable of displaying a stereoscopic view to the observer by prompting the stereoscopic view of the stereoscopic image corresponding to the image. It is possible to provide a motivation for performing stereoscopic observation on an image processing workstation (not shown) including

  In the above embodiment, one of the left and right parallax images is displayed in plan view. However, separately from these parallax images, image data for plan view display is displayed in the image file for plan view display. It may be further stored in association with an image data identifier (for example, “2D”) representing an image. In this case, the image display control unit 55 may read the image data having a value indicating that the image data identifier is a planar display image from the image file and perform the planar display.

  In the present invention, a plurality of stereoscopic parallax images may be stored in separate image files. FIG. 9 shows an example of the file structure in this case, and FIG. 10 shows an example of registration of the image database in this case. As shown in the figure, in this example, the stereoscopic availability determination unit 56 determines whether or not a stereoscopic parallax image exists based on the branch number of the image ID included in the header of each file. Can do. That is, if the numerical part of the image ID (“0000100” in the figure) has the same value and the image with the branch number “L” and the image with “R” exist, it is determined that a parallax image for stereoscopic viewing exists. can do.

  In addition, as shown in the file configuration in FIG. 11 and the registration example of the image database in FIG. 12, not only a plurality of stereoscopic images for parallax are stored in separate image files, but also a header (accompanying information of the image file). ), It is possible to determine whether or not stereoscopic viewing is possible even when there is no information that explicitly identifies the parallax image for stereoscopic viewing. Specifically, the stereoscopic vision availability determination unit 56 has the same patient ID, the same modality, the same imaging region, and the same imaging direction, and the two that satisfy all of the differences between the imaging dates and times are equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (for example, 3 minutes or less). When images exist, it is determined that these images are taken for stereoscopic display, and it can be determined that stereoscopic viewing is possible. In the registration example of the image database in FIG. 12, it is determined that the image data with the image IDs “0000100” and “0000101” are a plurality of parallax image data captured for stereoscopic display.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment is an example which applied this invention to the image processing workstation for planar view display, this embodiment is applied to the image processing workstation provided with the display monitor (stereoscopic display) which can be displayed stereoscopically. It is also conceivable to apply the invention. Specifically, a stereoscopic display mode in which parallax images for the left and right eyes are displayed on the stereoscopic display, and a planar display in which only one of the parallax images or a stereoscopic display image is displayed on the stereoscopic display. The above-described embodiment may be implemented when an observer can select a mode and an image is displayed in a planar view display mode. When the stereoscopic availability determination unit 56 determines that there is an image for stereoscopic display, the message display control unit 57 reads “This image can be stereoscopically displayed on the stereoscopic display. A message such as “Do you want to switch to visual display mode?” May be output. In addition, a user interface for responding to this message (for example, “Yes” and “No” buttons) is presented, and a selection operation by the observer is accepted, and selection to switch to the stereoscopic display mode is performed. In this case, the left and right parallax images may be displayed on the stereoscopic display.

  The above-described embodiments and modifications are merely examples, and all the above descriptions should not be used to limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the system configuration, the hardware configuration, the processing flow, the module configuration, the user interface, the specific processing content, etc. in the above embodiment have been variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image list acquisition unit 52 acquires only the incidental information necessary for displaying the image list from the image storage server 200, but the image data may also be acquired at the same time. In this case, the display image acquisition unit 54 may acquire a display image from the image data acquired by the image list acquisition unit 52 without accessing the image storage server 200.

  In the above embodiment, the human breast is the subject, but other parts such as the head and chest (heart, lungs) may be the subject. Further, it may be an endoscopic image. Further, it may be a photographic image obtained by a digital camera or a video for television.

7 Input unit 8 Computer 8a Control unit 8b Radiation image storage unit 8c Image processing unit 8d Image transmission unit 9 Monitor 10 Mammography device 13 Arm unit 14 Imaging table 15 Radiation image detector 31 Arm controller 32 Radiation source controller 33 Detector controller 34 compression plate controller 51 patient ID input reception unit 52 image list acquisition unit 53 display image selection reception unit 54 display image acquisition unit 55 image display control unit 56 stereoscopic availability determination unit 57 message display control unit 100 modality 100a mammography system 200 Image storage server 300 Image processing workstation 900 Network

Claims (6)

An image display device including a planar display means for planarly displaying an image representing predetermined content,
Based on the supplementary information, whether or not there is an image for stereoscopic display of the predetermined content displayed in a planar view in the image storage means for storing a plurality of images in association with the supplementary information of the image. Means for determining whether or not stereoscopic viewing is possible,
An image display device, further comprising: an informing means for informing a result of the determination when it is determined that an image for stereoscopic display is present. The incidental information includes identification information that can identify whether each image is for stereoscopic display,
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic availability determination unit performs the determination based on the identification information. The incidental information includes the acquisition date and time of the image,
The stereoscopic availability determination unit determines that there is an image for stereoscopic display when there is an image that is close enough to satisfy a predetermined criterion and an acquisition date and time of the image displayed in a planar view. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display apparatus is provided. Stereoscopic display means for stereoscopically displaying an image representing the predetermined content;
A display mode selection accepting unit for accepting a selection between a planar display mode for performing planar display of the predetermined content and a stereoscopic display mode for performing stereoscopic display of the predetermined content;
The image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stereoscopic availability determination unit performs the determination in the planar view display mode. An image display method in which a computer displays an image representing a predetermined content in a plan view on a display means connected to the computer, and the processing steps executed by the computer include:
Based on the supplementary information, whether or not there is an image for stereoscopic display of the predetermined content displayed in a planar view in the image storage means for storing a plurality of images in association with the supplementary information of the image. And judging step,
And a step of notifying a result of the determination when it is determined that an image for stereoscopic display is present. An image display program for causing a computer to execute a process of causing an image representing a predetermined content to be displayed in a plan view on a display unit connected to the computer.
Based on the supplementary information, whether or not there is an image for stereoscopic display of the predetermined content displayed in a planar view in the image storage means for storing a plurality of images in association with the supplementary information of the image. And judging step,
An image display program that executes a step of notifying a result of the determination when it is determined that an image for stereoscopic display is present.

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