JP3794194B2 - Cooperation display control method and telemedicine support system using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display control method in which a plurality of terminals equipped with monitors are arranged, and an operator of each terminal performs collaborative work while referring to characters, images, and the like displayed on the respective monitors. The present invention relates to a display control method in a case where terminals with different numbers of monitors to be linked are associated with, and a remote medical care support system using the display control method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an example of the prior art, medical images were used for “Construction of National Cancer Information Network and Telemedicine Using Multimedia” (Proceedings of the 15th Medical Informatics Conference, pages 163 to 166). An example of a remote conference is given. After the image data is transmitted to the remote terminal in advance, it is possible to perform a remote operation such as displaying the same medical image on both the terminal and the other terminal, or displaying a pointer at the target position.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Particularly in the medical field, when performing advanced diagnosis using image diagnostic apparatuses such as X-ray apparatus, CT apparatus, and MR apparatus, a radiology specialist uses a plurality of monitors to capture a plurality of images. Simultaneously display images and images taken in the past, and make a diagnosis while comparing them. Thus, for example, a radiology specialist is working, a hospital having a terminal with four monitors, and a clinic having mainly a primary care and a terminal having only one monitor. For example, when a remote conference is held, it is necessary to link terminals having different numbers of monitors. In the above prior art, no consideration has been given to remote conferences when the number of monitors is different. Therefore, a terminal including a plurality of monitors, such as four, has a problem that all monitors cannot be used effectively.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, and when linking terminals having different numbers of monitors, a display control method capable of effectively utilizing all monitors and a remote medical care support system using the same Is to provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the linked display control method of the present invention includes at least a terminal when connecting terminals with different numbers of monitors and performing cooperative work by linking display contents of the monitors between the terminals. There is a step of confirming the terminal specification including the number of monitors to be performed. In addition, each terminal has a logical monitor implementation step for setting a logical monitor, which is a common monitor among terminals that are logically implemented, using the terminal specifications confirmed in the above steps, and display contents of the logical monitor. And a step of displaying on a monitor.
[0006]
Alternatively, in the cooperative display control method of the present invention, when terminals having different numbers of monitors are connected and the display contents of the monitors are coordinated between the terminals to perform the cooperative work, each terminal is provided with the terminal 1 A step of setting a logical display area which is a single display area logically realized by combining two or more monitors, and a specification of the logical display area including at least the number of display pixels of the set logical display area. And a step of confirming. In addition, a common display area realization step for setting a common display area, which is a common display area among terminals that are logically realized, using the specification of the logical display area confirmed in the above step, and display of the common display area And displaying the contents on a monitor provided in each terminal. In addition, the common display area set in the common display area realization step is an area that includes the logical display area of each of the linked terminals.
[0007]
Alternatively, the display content of one or a plurality of monitors selected from one or more monitors included in the terminal is linked with the display content of the monitor of another terminal using the above-described linked display control method. .
[0008]
Alternatively, the telemedicine support system according to the present invention uses the above-described cooperative display control method when a plurality of terminals are connected and the same medical image is displayed on each of the terminals to perform the cooperative work.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where doctors in a hospital and a clinic conduct a conference while referring to the same medical image.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a cooperative display control method and a remote medical care support system using the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a clinic terminal (hereinafter referred to as a clinic terminal), and 2 is a hospital terminal (hereinafter referred to as a hospital terminal). This system is a system in which a conference using an image can be performed by displaying a medical image selected by one terminal on the monitors of both terminals.
[0011]
Each terminal records monitors (12, 16, 17) for displaying medical images to be referred to at the conference, input devices (13, 18) such as a keyboard for receiving instructions from the operator (doctor), and medical images to be displayed as data. Storage devices (14, 19) and a control device (11, 15) such as a personal computer for controlling the entire terminal. The clinic terminal includes one monitor (12), and the hospital terminal includes two (16, 17). The clinic terminal and the hospital terminal are connected via the network 20, and exchange of commands (cooperation commands) for linking medical image data transmission and display and processing on the monitor between the terminals is performed.
[0012]
The coordinated display control method of the present invention defines and sets a common monitor among terminals, and each terminal has the actual display contents of the set monitor (hereinafter referred to as a logical monitor) in each terminal. This is a method in which the display contents of all the monitors included in each terminal can be linked between the terminals by reflecting on the monitor. A plurality of logical monitors can be set. A terminal having fewer monitors than the set logical monitor can display the display contents of the logical monitor on the actual monitor by dividing the display screen of the monitor or switching the display contents.
[0013]
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, two logical monitors 31 and 32 are set. The hospital terminal 2 includes two monitors 16 and 17, and displays medical images 33 and 34, which are display contents of the logical monitors, on the monitors (25 and 26). The clinic terminal 1 has only one monitor 13, but by logically realizing two monitors on the left and right, the medical images 33 and 34, which are display contents of each logical monitor, are displayed on the monitor. (29, 30). Accordingly, a system in which medical images 33 and 34 are displayed on both the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal 1 and the monitors 16 and 17 of the hospital terminal 2, and the display contents of the monitors are linked between the terminals via the logical monitors 31 and 32. Can provide.
[0014]
Next, a procedure for coordinating display contents of the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal 1 and the monitors 16 and 17 of the hospital terminal 2 using the cooperative display control method of the present invention will be described. First, the clinic terminal 1 and the hospital terminal 2 are connected via the network 20. Next, in each terminal, the display content cooperates by executing the procedure shown in FIG.
[0015]
Each terminal first executes pre-processing 141 for setting parameters necessary for setting the logical monitor. The pre-processing is executed in the order of terminal specification confirmation 142, logic monitor realization function confirmation 143, and logic monitor realization processing 144. In the present embodiment, these processes are performed while the clinic terminal 1 and the hospital terminal 2 exchange linkage commands.
[0016]
FIG. 4 is an example of a cooperation command exchanged between terminals during preprocessing. In this example, it is assumed that the hospital terminal is connected to the clinic terminal, and the first link command is assumed to be sent from the hospital terminal to the clinic terminal.
[0017]
First, the terminal specification confirmation 142 is executed. First, a terminal specification is inquired from the hospital terminal to the clinic terminal (terminal specification inquiry command 65). The hospital terminal receives the terminal specification as an answer 66 of the terminal specification inquiry command 65. The terminal specification is, for example, a specification of the terminal including at least the total number of monitors (the number of monitors) provided in the terminal, the number of display pixels of each monitor, and the monitor arrangement.
[0018]
The monitor arrangement expresses the arrangement relationship of each monitor installed in the terminal. For example, a method of assigning a serial number (hereinafter referred to as an arrangement number) to each monitor according to a predetermined rule, such as assigning numbers sequentially from left to right and from bottom to top starting from the lower left, is used. As an example, in the case of a terminal having six monitors (81 to 86) as shown in FIG. 6, the monitor 81 is No. 1, the monitor 82 is No. 2, the monitor 83 is No. 3, the monitor 84 is No. 4, and the monitor Arrangement numbering is performed such that 85 is No. 5 and monitor 86 is No. 6.
[0019]
The number of display pixels is a value representing the size of the display area on the monitor that displays the same image as the counterpart terminal by the number of pixels (X, Y) in the vertical and horizontal directions. For example, in FIG. 6, the number of pixels in the rectangular area indicated by 87 to 92. The number of display pixels may be different for each monitor. Therefore, the terminal specification includes the number of monitors, the arrangement number assigned by the rule shown in FIG. 6, and the number of display pixels of the monitor corresponding to the arrangement number. In the example of FIG. 1, since the clinic terminal has one monitor, the hospital terminal receives the value of the number of monitors = 1 and the number of display pixels (X, Y) of arrangement number 1. This completes the terminal specification confirmation 142.
[0020]
In addition, when it is known in advance that the number of display pixels of each monitor provided in each terminal is the same and the monitor arrangement is the same, the terminal specifications may be confirmed by checking at least the number of monitors provided in the terminal. The monitor arrangement is the same when, for example, monitors are arranged in a row in each terminal, and the arrangement number of the counterpart terminal is from 1 to the number of monitors without answering the arrangement number from the counterpart terminal. Can be assigned in order.
[0021]
If the number of monitors of both terminals is the same as a result of the terminal specification inquiry, for example, the displays of monitors having the same arrangement number are linked.
[0022]
In the example of FIG. 1, the number of monitors at the clinic terminal is one, which is different from the number of monitors at the hospital terminal (two). In this way, when the number of monitors of both terminals is different, the logic monitor realization function confirmation 143 is subsequently executed.
[0023]
It is confirmed from the hospital terminal to the clinic terminal whether or not the clinic terminal has the cooperative display control method (function for realizing a logical monitor) of the present invention (function confirmation command 63). The hospital terminal receives the presence / absence of a function as an answer 64 of the function confirmation command 63. This is the end of the logic monitor realization function confirmation 143.
[0024]
As a result of the confirmation, if there is no function, the hospital terminal tries to cooperate by a method such as making only one monitor cooperate. If there is a function, the logic monitor realization process 144 is executed. By performing this function check, it is possible to coexist with other methods.
[0025]
The hospital terminal that has received the terminal specification of the clinic terminal determines the setting contents of the logical monitor according to the procedure shown in FIG. 5 (69). The setting contents of the logical monitor are the number of logical monitors to be set (the number of logical monitors), the number of display pixels of each logical monitor, the monitor arrangement, and the monitor ID. The monitor arrangement expresses the arrangement relationship of the logical monitors. As an example of the monitor arrangement, an arrangement number assigned to the logical monitor according to the same rule as when expressing the arrangement relation of the monitor of the actual terminal is used. The monitor ID is an identifier for distinguishing individual monitors. In this example, the same number as the arrangement number used for the monitor arrangement is assigned as an example of the monitor ID (a number (identifier) assigned according to a rule different from the monitor arrangement may be provided as the monitor ID). . In the example of FIG. 1, the monitor ID of the logical monitor 31 is set to 1, and the monitor ID of 32 is set to 2.
[0026]
In FIG. 5, first, the numbers of monitors of both terminals are compared (71). If the number of monitors at the hospital terminal is N1, the number of monitors at the clinic terminal is N2, and N1 ≧ N2, the number of logical monitors (N), the number of display pixels of each logical monitor (Px (i), Py (i)), The monitor arrangement (L (i)) is set to the number of monitors in the hospital terminal (N1), the number of display pixels of each monitor (P1x (i), P1y (i)), and the monitor arrangement (L1 (i)) (72) 73, 74). However, i = 1, 2,... N1. If N1 ≧ N2, the number of logical monitors (N), the number of display pixels of each logical monitor (Px (i), Py (i)), and the monitor layout (L (i)) are set to the number of monitors in the clinic terminal ( N2), the number of display pixels of each monitor (P2x (i), P2y (i)), and the monitor arrangement (L2 (i)) are set (76, 77, 78). However, i = 1, 2,... N2. Finally, the monitor ID is set to the same value as the monitor arrangement number (75, 79). The setting contents of the logic monitor are determined by the above procedure.
[0027]
Finally, the hospital terminal 2 transmits the determined logic monitor setting contents to the clinic terminal 1 (logic monitor setting command 67). The clinic terminal performs processing necessary for realizing the logical monitor, such as division of the display area on the monitor and association with the logical monitor, in accordance with the received setting contents of the logical monitor (62). For example, when the number of display pixels is different between the logical monitor and the actual monitor, a parameter for enlarging / reducing the entire display area of the logical monitor is set. As a result, display areas 23 and 24 for the logical monitors 31 and 32 are set. The hospital terminal receives the fact that the processing has been completed as an answer 68 of the logical monitor setting command 67. Also at the hospital terminal, processing necessary for realizing the logical monitor, such as associating the actual monitor with the logical monitor, is performed according to the setting contents of the logical monitor (61). As a result, display areas 21 and 22 for the logic monitors 31 and 32 are set. Thus, the logic monitor realization processing 144 is finished, and the preprocessing is completed.
[0028]
After the above preprocessing is completed, the same medical image is displayed on the monitors of both terminals, and the doctors at the hospital and clinic actually start the conference. After the conference starts, the display contents of each monitor are linked by exchanging linkage commands between the terminals. As shown in FIG. 11, the basic procedure is as follows. When an operator such as a doctor performs an operation such as displaying or enlarging an image, display or processing corresponding to the operation is executed and displayed on the monitor (146). In addition, a cooperation command corresponding to the operation content is transmitted to the partner terminal (147). The terminal that has received the cooperation command from the partner terminal executes the operation content corresponding to the cooperation command, and displays the result on the monitor (149).
[0029]
Next, a procedure for linking display contents will be described in more detail while showing a specific example of a cooperation command.
[0030]
First, a medical image to be displayed on one terminal is selected, and image data of the selected medical image is transmitted to the counterpart terminal. For example, image data of an image taken by a hospital image diagnostic apparatus is taken into a hospital terminal, and a cooperation command (image display command 103) shown in FIG. 7 is transmitted from the hospital terminal to the clinic terminal.
[0031]
FIG. 7 is an example of a cooperation command used in a conference. It consists of a command name representing the function of the command and a parameter which is information necessary for realizing the function. The image display command uses five types of parameters shown in FIG.
[0032]
The display ID is an identifier for distinguishing each displayed image (display image), and is assigned by a terminal that transmits an image display command and set as a parameter. At the time of this assignment, if there is a display image that is already being displayed, it is not duplicated with the assigned identifier.
[0033]
The monitor ID indicates the monitor that displays the image using the monitor ID of the logical monitor. For example, when displaying on the left monitor (the display 16 on the left side of the monitor 16 of the hospital terminal and the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal) in FIG. 1, the monitor ID of the logical monitor 31 is set to 1.
[0034]
The data display area sets an area to be displayed on the logical monitor in the image data. The monitor display area sets an area on the logical monitor for displaying the image data set in the data display area. Depending on the setting of the data display area and the monitor display area, it is possible to change the display position of the image or to enlarge or reduce the image. A setting example of the data display area and the monitor display area will be described with reference to FIG.
[0035]
In FIG. 8, reference numeral 111 denotes an image to be displayed, and reference numerals 112 to 115 are examples of logical monitors. The display contents of the logical monitor are reflected in the actual monitor provided in each terminal as shown in FIG. When the data display area is set to the entire image and the monitor display area is set to the entire logical monitor, the display contents of the logical monitor are as shown in 112, and the image is displayed on the entire display area of the monitor of each terminal. When the data display area is set to a partial area as indicated by 116, the display content of the logical monitor is as shown at 113, and a part of the image is enlarged and displayed in the entire display area of the monitor. For example, the lesion 119 is easy to see. Is displayed. When the monitor display area is set to a partial area as indicated by 117, the display content of the logical monitor is as indicated at 114, and the entire image is reduced and displayed in a part of the monitor display area. Further, when the monitor display area is changed to 118, the display position of the image is moved (115).
[0036]
Such various displays can be realized only by setting an area on the image data (data display area) and an area on the logical monitor (monitor display area). By providing the logical monitor in this way, the display contents can be linked between the terminals without considering the number of monitors provided in the terminals and the size of the display area.
[0037]
As the image data, the image data itself to be displayed on both terminals is set.
[0038]
The clinic terminal that has received the image display command interprets the content of the command and displays the transmitted image data on the monitor according to the parameter setting content. The hospital terminal that has transmitted the image display command displays the transmitted image data on the monitor according to the content of the transmitted image display command. As a result, the same image is displayed on the display area of the monitor corresponding to the same logical monitor on both terminals.
[0039]
In order to erase (or close) the displayed image, a display erasure command (104) is used. The display image to be erased is designated by the display ID set by the image display command. When it is desired to change the display state of the image being displayed, a display change command (105) is used. The display image to be changed is designated by the display ID set by the image display command, and the condition to be changed is set as a parameter. For example, when the monitor displayed in FIG. 1 is changed to the right side, the monitor ID is set to 2. Alternatively, when the display position change or enlargement / reduction shown in FIG. 8 is performed, the data display area and the monitor display area are set to the changed values. When changing the content of the display image, the image data to be changed is set. Note that parameters other than the display ID in the display change command 105 may be transmitted only for those requiring setting.
[0040]
As described above, in the present invention, a common logical monitor is set between terminals using the specifications of the monitor provided in each terminal, and each terminal reflects the display contents of the logical monitor in the actual monitor provided in each terminal. I tried to make it. Therefore, for example, when a hospital terminal having two monitors and a clinic terminal having one monitor are connected, the display contents of the two monitors of the hospital terminal can be displayed on one monitor of the clinic terminal. Therefore, even when terminals equipped with different numbers of monitors are linked, all the monitors can be used effectively. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, medical images (25, 26) taken before and after treatment can be displayed simultaneously, and changes in lesions (27, 28) can be compared. There is a remarkable effect that a conference can be held while simultaneously viewing images.
[0041]
In addition, the display contents of the monitor are linked between the terminals via the logical monitor. Therefore, even when the number of monitors provided between terminals differs greatly, the display contents can be linked between terminals only by the process of reflecting the display contents of the logical monitor performed by each terminal on the actual monitor. There is an effect that it is not necessary to consider the number and the size of the display area, and can be easily realized without complicated processing extending over a plurality of terminals.
[0042]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example the case where a doctor at a hospital and a clinic conducts a conference while referring to the same medical image.
[0043]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a cooperative display control method and a remote medical care support system using the present invention. 1 is a clinic terminal and 2 is a hospital terminal. This system is a system in which a conference using an image can be performed by displaying a medical image selected by one terminal on the monitors of both terminals.
[0044]
The configuration of the remote medical care support system shown in FIG. 2 is the same as that of the remote medical care support system shown in FIG. That is, reference numerals 11 to 20 in FIG. 2 are the same as those described in the first embodiment. The clinic terminal and the hospital terminal are connected via the network 20 and exchange of medical commands data and exchange of cooperation commands for linking display and processing on the monitor between the terminals.
[0045]
In the cooperative display control method of the present invention, a common display area is defined and set between terminals, and each terminal has display contents of the set display area (hereinafter referred to as a common display area). In this method, the display contents of all the monitors included in each terminal can be linked between the terminals by reflecting the actual monitor. For terminals that do not match the display area of the monitor and the common display area, the display contents of the common display area are displayed on the actual monitor by combining the display screens of multiple monitors or switching the common display area displayed on the monitor. Can be displayed.
[0046]
In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a common display area 41 is set. The clinic terminal 1 includes one monitor 13 and displays medical images 33 and 34 that are display contents of the common display area 41 on the monitor (29 and 30). The hospital terminal 2 includes two monitors 16 and 17. These two monitors are arranged on the left and right to form one large display area and correspond to the common display area 41, and medical images 33 and 34 are respectively displayed. Display on the monitor (25, 26). Therefore, a system in which medical images 33 and 34 are both displayed on the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal 1 and the monitors 16 and 17 of the hospital terminal 2 and the display contents of the monitors are linked between the terminals via the common display area 41. Can be provided.
[0047]
Next, a procedure for coordinating display contents of the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal 1 and the monitors 16 and 17 of the hospital terminal 2 using the cooperative display control method of the present invention will be described. First, the clinic terminal 1 and the hospital terminal 2 are connected via the network 20. Next, in each terminal, the display content cooperates by executing the procedure shown in FIG.
[0048]
Each terminal first executes preprocessing 151 for setting parameters necessary for setting the common display area. The pre-processing is executed in the order of the common display area realization function confirmation 152, the logical display area confirmation 153, and the common display area realization process 154. In the present embodiment, these processes are performed while the clinic terminal 1 and the hospital terminal 2 exchange linkage commands.
[0049]
FIG. 9 is an example of a cooperation command exchanged between terminals during preprocessing. In this example, it is assumed that the hospital terminal is connected to the clinic terminal, and the first link command is assumed to be sent from the hospital terminal to the clinic terminal.
[0050]
First, the common display area realization function confirmation 152 is executed. First, it is confirmed from the hospital terminal to the clinic terminal whether or not the clinic terminal has the cooperative display control method (function for realizing the common display area) of the present invention (function confirmation command 121). The hospital terminal receives the presence / absence of a function as the reply 122 of the function confirmation command 121. This completes the confirmation 152 of the common display area realization function.
[0051]
As a result of the confirmation, if there is no function, the hospital terminal tries to cooperate by a method such as making only one monitor cooperate. If there is a function, the logical display area confirmation 153 is executed. By performing this function check, it is possible to coexist with other methods.
[0052]
The logical display area confirmation 153 first inquires the number of display pixels in the logical display area of the clinic terminal from the hospital terminal to the clinic terminal (logical display area inquiry command 123). The logical display area is a single display area in which an image can be displayed using one or more monitors provided in the terminal. In the case of a terminal provided with a plurality of monitors, a single display area is constructed by combining the display areas of the monitors vertically and horizontally based on the actual monitor arrangement, and the constructed display area is defined as a logical display area. For example, the number of display pixels (X, Y) in the logical display area of the hospital terminal 2 in which two monitors are arranged side by side is the same as the number of display pixels (a, b) in the two monitors. The vertical Y is b. In the case of a terminal having only a single monitor, the display area of the monitor is a logical display area. Here, since the clinic terminal 1 has only one monitor, the number of display pixels on the monitor 12 is set as the number of display pixels in the logical display area, and the hospital terminal is answered (124). The logical display area confirmation 153 is thus completed.
[0053]
Next, a common display area realization process 154 is executed. First, the hospital terminal that has received the number of display pixels in the logical display area determines the setting contents of the common display area (129). The setting content of the common display area is the number of display pixels in the common display area. This setting content is determined by the following procedure using the number of display pixels in the logical display area of the partner terminal (clinic terminal) and the number of display pixels in the logical display area of the own terminal (hospital terminal).
[0054]
Procedure 1) When the logical display area of one terminal includes the logical display area of the other terminal, the number of display pixels in the common display area is set to the number of display pixels in the included logical display area.
[0055]
Procedure 2) When not in the inclusion relationship of Procedure 1, each logical display area of both terminals is enlarged at a constant aspect ratio until it includes the logical display area of the other terminal. The size (area) of the enlarged logical display area is compared, and the display pixel number of the smaller logical display area after enlargement is set as the display pixel number of the common display area.
[0056]
Step 3) If the size of the logical display area after the enlargement in Step 2 is the same, set the connection source terminal (hospital terminal) to the number of display pixels in the common display area, or the operator of the terminal such as a doctor. The selected one is set as the number of display pixels in the common display area.
[0057]
Through the above procedure 1 to procedure 3, the setting content (the number of display pixels) of the common display area is determined. The common display area set in steps 1 to 3 is an area including the logical display areas of both terminals, and the number of display pixels in the common display area is determined to be greater than or equal to the number of display pixels of each terminal.
[0058]
Finally, the hospital terminal 2 transmits the determined setting contents of the common display area to the clinic terminal 1 (common display area setting command 125). The clinic terminal performs processing necessary for display of the common display area, such as division of the display area on the monitor and association with the common display area, in accordance with the received setting contents of the common display area (131). For example, when the number of display pixels is different between the common display area and the actual monitor, the entire common display area is enlarged or reduced, and a parameter is set for cutting out a part of the common display area. As a result, a display area 45 for the common display area 41 is set. The hospital terminal receives a message indicating that the processing is completed as an answer 126 to the common display area setting command 125. Similar to the process (131) at the clinic terminal, the hospital terminal is also required to display the common display area, such as dividing the display area on the monitor and associating with the common display area, according to the setting contents of the common display area. (130). As a result, the display areas 21 and 22 for the common display area 41 are set. Thus, the common display area realization processing 154 is finished, and the preprocessing is completed.
[0059]
After the above preprocessing is completed, the same medical image is displayed on the monitors of both terminals, and the doctors at the hospital and clinic actually start the conference. This procedure is basically the same as in the first embodiment. However, instead of the cooperation command shown in FIG. 7, the cooperation command shown in FIG. 10 in which the monitor ID is removed from the parameter is used.
[0060]
First, a medical image to be displayed on one terminal is selected, and image data of the selected medical image is transmitted to the counterpart terminal. For example, image data of an image taken by an image diagnostic apparatus at a hospital is taken into the hospital terminal, and an image display command 107 is transmitted from the hospital terminal to the clinic terminal. Of the parameters of the image display command 107, the display ID, data display area, and image data are the same as the image display command 103 shown in FIG. 7 used in the first embodiment.
[0061]
The monitor display area sets an area on the common display area for displaying the image data set in the data display area. In the example shown in FIG.
The display contents of the common display area are reflected on the actual monitor provided in each terminal as shown in FIG. Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is possible to change the display position of the image, enlarge or reduce the image by setting the data display area and the monitor display area.
[0062]
The clinic terminal that has received the image display command interprets the content of the command and displays the transmitted image data on the monitor according to the parameter setting content. The hospital terminal that has transmitted the image display command displays the transmitted image data on the monitor according to the content of the transmitted image display command. As a result, the same image is displayed on the monitors of both terminals. For example, in FIG. 2, the medical image 33 that is the display content of the common display area is displayed on the left side of the display area 45 of the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal 1 (29) and displayed in the display area 21 of the monitor 16 of the hospital terminal 2. It is displayed (25).
[0063]
In order to erase (or close) the displayed image, a display erasure command (108) is used. The display image to be erased is designated by the display ID set by the image display command, similarly to the display change command 104 shown in FIG. 7 used in the first embodiment.
[0064]
When it is desired to change the display state of the image being displayed, a display change command (109) is used. Similar to the display change command 105 shown in FIG. 7 used in the first embodiment, the display image to be changed is designated by the display ID set by the image display command, and the condition to be changed is set as a parameter. In addition, parameters other than the display ID may be transmitted only for those that require setting.
[0065]
As described above, in the present invention, a common display area (common display area) is set between terminals based on a logical display area that is a single display area in which the display areas of each monitor are vertically and horizontally combined according to the arrangement of the monitors. Each terminal reflects the display content of the common display area on the actual monitor provided in each terminal. Therefore, for example, when a hospital terminal having two monitors and a clinic terminal having one monitor are connected, the display contents of the two monitors of the hospital terminal can be displayed on one monitor of the clinic terminal. Therefore, even when terminals equipped with different numbers of monitors are linked, all the monitors can be used effectively. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, medical images (25, 26) taken before and after treatment can be displayed simultaneously, and changes in lesions (27, 28) can be compared. There is a remarkable effect that a conference can be held while simultaneously viewing images.
[0066]
In addition, the display content of the monitor is linked between the terminals via the common display area. Therefore, even when the number of monitors provided between terminals differs greatly, the display contents can be linked between terminals only by the process of reflecting the display contents of the logical monitor performed by each terminal on the actual monitor. There is an effect that it is not necessary to consider the number and the size of the display area, and can be easily realized without complicated processing extending over a plurality of terminals.
[0067]
In addition, since the number of display pixels in the common display area is set to be greater than or equal to the number of display pixels of each terminal, there is an effect that it is possible to ensure processing accuracy when reflecting the display contents in the common display area on an actual monitor.
[0068]
In the first embodiment, the procedure for determining the setting contents of the logical monitor is made by comparing the number of monitors (N1 and N2) provided in each terminal as shown in FIG. However, other procedures can be combined or completely different procedures can be used. For example, it can be adapted to the specifications of a terminal having a monitor with a large number of display pixels. As another example, the display pixel number of the logical monitor can be determined using the display pixel number of the monitor provided in the counterpart terminal. As another example, an operator of a terminal such as a doctor can select or edit setting contents. For example, when a terminal having a monitor with a small number of monitors but a high display resolution is used, it is possible to ensure processing accuracy when reflecting the display contents of the logical monitor to the actual monitor. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to flexibly cope with terminals having various configurations.
[0069]
In the first embodiment, the setting contents of the logical monitor are the number of logical monitors, the number of display pixels of each logical monitor, the monitor arrangement, and the monitor ID. However, the setting contents are added, deleted, and changed as necessary. You can also For example, the monitor type (color, black and white), gamma value, color tone (saturation, lightness, color temperature, etc.), the shape and size of the pixel itself, etc. may be added. Therefore, it is possible to omit the monitor arrangement when it is aggregated into one item or when it is known in advance that the monitor arrangement is the same (for example, when monitors are arranged in a row in each terminal). When reflecting the display contents of the logical monitor to the actual monitor provided in each terminal, there is an effect that more accurate cooperation becomes possible by using the added or changed setting contents of the common display area. At this time, the contents of the terminal specification exchanged by the terminal specification inquiry command can be added, deleted, or changed according to the setting contents of the logic monitor.
[0070]
In the first embodiment, if the number of monitors of both terminals is the same as a result of the inquiry about the terminal specifications, for example, the displays of the monitors having the same arrangement number are linked together. In accordance with the procedure described in the example, the common display area can be used for cooperation.
[0071]
In the first embodiment, the monitor arrangement uses a method of assigning serial numbers to each monitor according to a predetermined rule, such as assigning numbers in order starting from the lower left, but other methods can also be used. For example, the monitor position can be associated with a two-dimensional array with the upper left as the origin, and can be expressed by an array element number. In the example of FIG. 6, the monitor 81 is (10), the monitor 82 is (11), the monitor 83 is (12), the monitor 84 is (00), the monitor 85 is (01), and the monitor 86 is (02). . As another example, it can be expressed by a positional relationship between a monitor serving as a reference for arrangement and the monitor. In the case of the example of FIG. 5, numerical codes are assigned to the positional relationships such as right, left, upper, lower, upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left, and the monitor 91 expresses the contents of the upper right of the monitor 87 as numerical codes. As another example, it is possible to select a matching one from several preset monitor arrangements.
[0072]
In the first embodiment, the location of the display area of each logical monitor can be shown on the monitor of the terminal by displaying a frame or the like. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display area (23, 24) reflecting the display contents of the logical monitor can be displayed on the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal 1 by surrounding it with a rectangular frame.
[0073]
In the second embodiment, the procedure for determining the setting contents of the common display area can be combined with other procedures or a completely different procedure can be used. For example, an appropriate one can be selected according to the number of display pixels in the logical display area of each terminal from several preset display pixel numbers. As another example, an operator of a terminal such as a doctor can select or edit setting contents.
[0074]
In the second embodiment, the setting content of the common display area is the number of display pixels, but the setting content can be added or changed as necessary. For example, the type of monitor (color, black and white), gamma value, color tone (saturation, brightness, color temperature, etc.), the shape and size of the pixel itself, and the like can be added. When each terminal reflects the display contents of the common display area on the actual monitor provided in each terminal, the use of the added or changed common display area settings enables more accurate cooperation. There is. At this time, the contents exchanged by the inquiry command of the logical display area can be added or changed according to the setting contents of the common display area.
[0075]
Further, in the second embodiment, the location of the display area of each actual monitor provided in the counterpart terminal can be indicated on the monitor of the terminal by displaying a frame or the like. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the area displayed by the monitors 16 and 17 of the hospital terminal 2 can be displayed on the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal 1 surrounded by a rectangular frame (46, 47).
[0076]
In the first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which a hospital terminal is connected to a clinic terminal, and the connected terminal (hospital terminal) performs processing for determining the setting contents of the logical monitor and the common display area. However, it can also be processed using other connection methods and other terminals. For example, a control terminal other than a hospital terminal or clinic terminal is used, and the hospital terminal and clinic terminal are connected via this control terminal. It is also possible to perform a process of determining. As another example, both the hospital terminal and the clinic terminal can share the process of determining the setting contents.
[0077]
Moreover, although the example which cooperates two terminals was demonstrated, three or more several terminals can be cooperated.
[0078]
In the first and second embodiments, an example in which medical images are displayed in cooperation with each other has been described. However, various information such as other images, characters, and display for operation (such as operation buttons) are linked. Can also be displayed. For example, a character string in which a pointer, a line, a comment, or the like indicating a target position on a medical image is written can be handled as display contents of a logical monitor or a common display area, and can be displayed in cooperation between terminals. As another example, a table or a graph describing a clinical test result of a patient can also be displayed in cooperation with a similar method.
[0079]
In the first and second embodiments, the function confirmation command is used to confirm the presence or absence of a function that realizes a logical monitor or a common display area. You can also For example, when a logical monitor function is provided, an upper limit of the number of monitors that can be set as a logical monitor can be transmitted. As another example, when having a function of realizing a common display area, a maximum value of the number of display pixels that can be set as the common display area can be transmitted. By using the received capability, the setting contents of the logical monitor and the common display area can be determined more appropriately.
[0080]
In the first and second embodiments, the function confirmation command is used to confirm the presence or absence of the function for realizing the logical monitor and the common display area. Accordingly, this procedure can be omitted.
[0081]
In the first and second embodiments, the image data is set by the parameter of the image display command and is transmitted when the image is displayed. However, the image data is transmitted and displayed in advance on the counterpart terminal. You can also. For example, a large amount of image data is transmitted and recorded in a storage device when the network is free at night or the like. Information for designating image data recorded in the storage device can be set as a parameter of the image display command. Information specifying the image data includes the accompanying information of the image data such as the file name, patient name, imaging date and time, the identifier assigned at the time of image data transmission, and the same image by searching the image data on both terminals before the image display command An identifier assigned to can be used.
[0082]
Alternatively, the display of the monitor of each terminal can be linked using both the function of the logical monitor shown in the first embodiment and the function of the common display area described in the second embodiment. For example, the display area of the logical monitor set according to the first embodiment is set to the common display area shown in the second embodiment, and the display contents of the logical monitor are displayed in combination with a plurality of monitors included in the terminal. You can also As another example, in the first embodiment, when both terminals have the same number of monitors, the display of monitors having the same arrangement number is linked. However, the functions of the common display area are used for linkage. You can also
[0083]
In the first and second embodiments, not all the monitors included in the terminal can be linked, but some monitors can also be linked. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, only the monitor 16 of the hospital terminal 2 can be linked to the display of the monitor 12 of the clinic terminal 1. At this time, on the monitor of the hospital terminal 2, another medical image related to the medical image displayed on the monitor 16 or an image obtained by processing the medical image displayed on the monitor 16 can be displayed. . In the example of FIG. 3, a medical image 49 (enlarged lesion 50) obtained by enlarging the lesion 27 of the medical image 25 with which the display is linked is displayed.
[0084]
As described above, the cooperative display control method and the telemedicine support system using the same according to the present invention are (1) confirming the number of monitors included in each terminal and using the number of monitors to Setting a logical monitor, and (2) confirming a logical display area, which is a single display area combining the display areas of one or more monitors provided in the terminal, and the terminal based on the logical display area By setting a common display area between the terminals, all monitors can be used effectively even when terminals having different numbers of monitors are linked. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, a common logical monitor is set between terminals using the specifications of the monitor provided in each terminal, and each terminal reflects the display contents of the logical monitor in the actual monitor provided in each terminal. I tried to make it. Therefore, for example, when a hospital terminal having two monitors and a clinic terminal having one monitor are connected, the display contents of the two monitors of the hospital terminal can be displayed on one monitor of the clinic terminal. Therefore, even when terminals equipped with different numbers of monitors are linked, all the monitors can be used effectively. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, medical images (25, 26) taken before and after treatment can be displayed simultaneously, and changes in lesions (27, 28) can be compared. There is a remarkable effect that a conference can be held while simultaneously viewing images.
[0086]
Also, based on the logical display area, which is a single display area that combines the display areas of each monitor vertically and horizontally according to the arrangement of the monitors, a common display area (common display area) is set between the terminals. The display contents of the common display area are reflected on the actual monitor provided in each terminal. Therefore, for example, when a hospital terminal having two monitors and a clinic terminal having one monitor are connected, the display contents of the two monitors of the hospital terminal can be displayed on one monitor of the clinic terminal. Therefore, even when terminals equipped with different numbers of monitors are linked, all the monitors can be used effectively. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, medical images (25, 26) taken before and after treatment can be displayed simultaneously, and changes in lesions (27, 28) can be compared. There is a remarkable effect that a conference can be held while simultaneously viewing images.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cooperative display control method and a remote medical care support system using the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining another example of a cooperative display control method and a remote medical care support system using the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a cooperative display control method and a remote medical care support system for linking display images of some monitors using the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cooperation command exchanged between terminals during preprocessing.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for determining setting contents of a logic monitor.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a terminal including six monitors.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a cooperation command used in a conference.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of a data display area and a monitor display area.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cooperation command exchanged between terminals during preprocessing.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a cooperation command used in a conference.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by each terminal.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by each terminal.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Clinic terminal, 2 ... Hospital terminal, 3 ... C facility, 11, 15 ... Control device, 12, 16, 17 ... Monitor, 13, 18 ... Input device, 14, 19 ... Storage device, 20 ... Network 21-24, 45 ... display area, 25, 29, 33 ... medical image (after treatment), 26, 30, 34 ... medical image (before treatment), 27, 28 ... lesion, 31, 32 ... logical monitor, 41 ... common display area, 46, 47 ... rectangular frame indicating display area of monitor of counterpart terminal, 49 ... enlarged medical image, 50 ... enlarged lesion, 63 ... function check command, 64 ... function check command reply, 65 ... Terminal specification inquiry command, 66 ... Reply to terminal specification inquiry command, 67 ... Logical monitor setting command, 68 ... Logical monitor setting command reply, 101 ... Command name, 102 ... Parameter, 10 , 107 ... Image display command, 104, 108 ... Display deletion command, 105, 109 ... Display change command, 111 ... Image to be displayed, 112 to 115 ... Example of logical monitor, 116 ... Data display area, 117, 118 ... Monitor display Area 119 ... lesion, 121 ... function check command, 122 ... function check command reply, 123 ... logical display area query command, 124 ... logical display area query command reply, 125 ... common display area set command, 126 ... Reply to common display area setting command, 141, 152 ... Pre-processing, 142 ... Confirmation of terminal specifications, 143 ... Confirmation of logic monitor realization function, 144 ... Logical monitor realization processing, 152 ... Confirmation of common display area realization function, 153 ... Confirmation of logical display area, 154 ... Common display area realization processing.

Claims (5)

In the coordinated display control method when connecting terminals with different numbers of monitors and performing cooperative work by coordinating the display contents of the monitors between the terminals,
Ascertaining the terminal specification of the linkage to the terminal includes a monitor number comprising terminal collaboration is,
A logical monitor implementation step for setting a logical monitor, which is a common monitor among terminals that are logically implemented, using the confirmed terminal specifications;
And a step of displaying the display contents of the logical monitor on a monitor provided in each terminal . In the coordinated display control method when connecting terminals with different numbers of monitors and performing cooperative work by coordinating the display contents of the monitors between the terminals,
Each terminal sets a logical display area which is a single display area logically realized by combining one or more monitors included in the terminal;
Ascertaining the specifications of the logic display area including a number of display pixels of the set logical display region,
A common display area realization step for setting a common display area, which is a common display area between terminals that are logically realized, using the specifications of the confirmed logical display area;
And a step of displaying the display content of the common display area on a monitor provided in each terminal . 3. The cooperative display control method according to claim 2 , wherein the common display area set in the common display area realization step is an area including a logical display area of each of the terminals that cooperate. The display content of one or more monitors the terminal is selected from one or more monitors comprising, display contents of the other terminals of the monitor using the cooperation display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 A coordinated display control method characterized by coordinating with. A telemedicine support system in which a plurality of terminals are connected and the same medical image is displayed on each terminal for collaborative work, and the cooperative display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is used. Telemedicine support system.

Images