JP4449436B2 - Image output apparatus and method for controlling image output apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and an image output apparatus control method, and can be applied to, for example, a network printer that prints an image by a medical image diagnostic apparatus or the like. The present invention distributes the processing of image data input from a network to other image output devices according to the image output conditions set by the user according to the image output conditions set in the image data. By transferring the image data with the corresponding setting to the image output apparatus, a general-purpose device can be applied to an imager or the like of a medical network so as to be controlled by modality.

  In recent years, in the medical field, a method has been proposed in which various devices are connected via a network to send and receive various medical information between the devices, and a medical digital image is used as a data transfer protocol for the network. DICOM (Digital Imaging and C0mmunications in Medicine), which is a standard for communication, is used.

  In this DICOM, image data acquired by an image acquisition device such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CR (Computed Radiography), CT (Computerized Tomography), or an ultrasonic imaging device is used as an image output device (hereinafter referred to as a monitor, printer, etc.). The image data can be output by a monitor, a printer, or the like, and various specific processes related to the output can be performed on the image data transmission side by describing the parameters. The image data output device (hereinafter referred to as modality) can be designated.

  That is, FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams showing a medical network system based on DICOM. The medical network systems 1 and 11 include modalities CT2, 3, MRI4, and CR5 together with the server 6 and the database 7, respectively. Connected and formed by the medical network 9. As a result, the medical network systems 1 and 11 can manage the image data by CT2, 3, MRI4, and CR5 by recording them in the database 7 by the operation of the server 6 by the operator. Is displayed on the monitor 8 and can be output from the printer 10A or 10B.

  In such medical network systems 1 and 11, the printers 10A and 10B are connected to the modalities 2 to 5 via the server 6 connected to the medical network 9, as shown in FIG. As shown, it is directly connected to modalities 2 to 5 through the medical network 9.

  However, in the connection of the printers 10A and 10B according to the configuration of FIG. 4, the server 6 connected to the medical network 9 has an interface by DICOM, and the printer 6 controls the printers 10A and 10B. As a result, various general-purpose printers that do not have a DICOM interface can be applied in various ways, but there is a disadvantage that the printers 10A and 10B cannot be directly controlled by the modalities 2 to 5.

  On the other hand, in the connection of the printer according to the configuration of FIG. 5, the printers 10A and 10B can be directly controlled by the modalities 2 to 5, but the printers 10A and 10B themselves need to have a DICOM interface. The printers that can be connected are limited. Thus, in this configuration, there is a problem that a general-purpose device cannot be applied to the imager.

  By the way, in recent years, in the medical field, not only the conventional image output by film but also the image output by various forms corresponding to so-called multimedia has been desired. Therefore, it is desired to be able to print on a plurality of types of paper such as copy paper. However, if the printer is configured so as to be compatible with a plurality of types of paper in this way, an increase in size cannot be avoided, and the installation location is limited. On the other hand, when connecting different types of printers to the medical network as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the layout can be improved by freely selecting the installation location. There are problems as described above. Thus, it is desired to apply a general-purpose device to a medical network imager so that it can be controlled by modality.

On the other hand, regarding the connection of such printers, JP-A-8-251319, JP-A-9-141975, JP-A-2000-155654, etc. have a plurality of printers connected in cascade. A configuration in which printing is shared by a single printer has been proposed. However, in the configurations disclosed in these documents, there is a problem that the configuration cannot be applied to a special network such as DICOM because the configuration is a connection configuration using a general-purpose printer or a configuration using a dedicated interface.
JP-A-8-251319 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-141975 JP 2000-155654 A

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an image output apparatus and a control method for the image output apparatus that can apply a general-purpose device to an imager of a medical network so as to be controllable by modality. It is what.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the invention of claim 1, an image output apparatus is provided that outputs an image based on image data output from an image data output apparatus connected to a medical network. Apply and select an image output device to be used for processing the image data based on the information of the image output condition added to the image data input via the network interface, and select the image output When the apparatus is its own apparatus, the corresponding image is output from the image output means based on the information on the condition of the image output. When the selected image output apparatus is another image output apparatus, the other image output apparatus is used. The image data is transferred by the setting corresponding to the other image output apparatus via the interface, and the corresponding image is output from the other image output apparatus.

  Further, in the invention of claim 5, the present invention is applied to an image output device that connects to a medical network and outputs an image based on image data output from an image data output device connected to the medical network. Based on the image output condition information input by the means, an image output device to be used for processing image data input via the network interface is selected, and the selected image output device In this case, based on the image output condition information, the corresponding image is output from the image output means, and if the selected image output device is another image output device, the other image is output via the interface for the other image output device. The image data is transferred according to the setting corresponding to the image output apparatus, and the corresponding image is output from the other image output apparatus.

  The invention of claim 9 is applied to a method for controlling an image output apparatus that is connected to a medical network and outputs an image based on image data output from an image data output apparatus connected to the medical network. And selecting an image output device to be used for processing the image data based on the information of the image output condition added to the image data input via the network interface, and the selected image output device In the case of its own device, a corresponding image is output based on the information on the condition of image output, and when the selected image output device is another image output device, the other image output device via the interface for the other image output device The image data is transferred according to the setting corresponding to the image output device, and the corresponding image is output from the other image output device.

  According to the configuration of claim 1, the present invention is applied to an image output device that connects to a medical network and outputs an image based on image data output from an image data output device connected to the medical network. When an image output device to be used for processing the image data is selected based on image output condition information added to the image data input via the interface, and the selected image output device is its own device Based on the image output condition information, the corresponding image is output from the image output means, and when the selected image output device is another image output device, the other image output device is connected via the interface for the other image output device. If the image data is transferred according to the setting corresponding to the image output device and the corresponding image is output from the other image output device, another image is output via this image output device. The image processing device is connected to another image output device by connecting the force device to the medical network, and the processing of the image data input from the network is distributed according to the image output conditions set in the image data. Image data can be transferred to the output device with corresponding settings. As a result, in this other image output device, even in the case of an interface that is difficult to connect to the network, it is controlled by the image data output device connected to the network via this image output device, for example, processing such as printing Can be executed. As a result, a general-purpose device can be applied to an imager or the like of a medical network so as to be controllable by modality.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the input means is applied to an image output device that is connected to a medical network and outputs an image based on image data output from the image data output device connected to the medical network. When the image output device used for processing the image data input via the network interface is selected based on the image output condition information input by the network, and the selected image output device is its own device Based on the image output condition information, the corresponding image is output from the image output means, and when the selected image output device is another image output device, the other image output device is connected via the interface for the other image output device. If the image data is transferred according to the settings corresponding to the image output device, and the corresponding image is output from the other image output device, the An image output device is connected to a medical network, and processing of image data input from the network is distributed to other image output devices according to image output conditions set by the user. Image data can be transferred to the output device with corresponding settings. As a result, in this other image output device, even in the case of an interface that is difficult to connect to the network, it is controlled by the image data output device connected to the network via this image output device, for example, processing such as printing Can be executed. This makes it possible to apply a general-purpose device to a medical network imager or the like so that it can be controlled by modality.

  Thus, according to the configuration of the ninth aspect, it is possible to provide a control method of an image output apparatus that can apply a general-purpose device to an imager or the like of a medical network so that it can be controlled by modality.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a general purpose apparatus can be applied to the imager etc. of a medical network so that control by a modality is possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

(1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a medical network system according to an embodiment of the present invention in comparison with FIG. In the medical network system 21, modalities CT2, 3, MRI4, and CR5 are connected to the medical network 9 together with the server 6, the database 7, and the printer 22, and printers 23A and 23B are connected to the printer 22. .

  Here, the medical network 9 is a DICOM local area network, whereby the CT2, 3, MRI4, CR5, server 6, database 7, and printer 22 are each provided with a DICOM interface. An IP address related to the network is assigned, and various data are transmitted and received.

  CT 2, 3, MRI 4, CR 5 have a user interface of the printer 22 directly connected to the medical network 9. When printing is instructed by the operator, the printer 22 directly connected to the medical network 9 Acquired image output conditions such as printable paper size, selectable paper type, color printing, monochrome printing, and the like. Also, a user interface is provided according to the acquired conditions and a printing instruction is received by an operator, thereby acquiring conditions for image output by printing such as the type of paper used for printing and the size of the paper. CT 2, 3, MRI 4, and CR 5 instruct the printer 22 to print according to the image output conditions acquired in this way.

  CT 2, 3, MRI 4, and CR 5 set the image output conditions for such printing in the accompanying information defined in the DICOM format and notify the printer 22 of the conditions. That is, in the DICOM format, various information indicating image attributes is attached to image data as incidental information and filed. Specifically, the incidental information includes, for example, patient name, patient ID (identification), gender, age, examination date, examination site, presence / absence of contrast medium use, requested department name, imaging equipment used, imaging conditions, number of imaging, requesting doctor Name, inspection engineer name, and the like can be included, and the gradation of the corresponding image data is set. The incidental information is also called a DICOM tag (TAG). In the DICOM format, when image data is transferred to a printer and printing is instructed, information about image output conditions such as the number of prints is set in the incidental information. On the imager side, the incidental information is set. On the basis of the image output condition information, an image based on the image data in which the supplementary information is set by selecting a sheet or the like is printed.

  As a result, the CT2, 3, MRI4, and CR5 notify the printer 22 of the print conditions instructed by the operator together with the image data in accordance with the DICOM format.

  On the other hand, the printers 23A and 23B are so-called multimedia-compatible general-purpose printers that do not have a DICOM interface, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electrical Engineers, Inc.). It is connected to the printer 22 through an interface such as 1394. In response to a request from the printer 22 through this interface, the printer 22 is notified of information of a type that specifies the manufacturer and model, and each of the printable paper sizes, selectable paper types, color printing, monochrome printing, etc. The printer 22 is notified of information on possible image output conditions. Further, in accordance with a print instruction from the printer 22, an image based on image data output from the printer 22 is printed under the control of the printer 22. Further, when abnormalities such as out of paper and paper jam occur due to such printing, the printer 22 is notified of these abnormalities. Further, when the paper size is changed by the replacement of the cassette by the operator, this change is notified to the printer 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 22 is connected to the medical network 9 by an upper interface (I / F) 31 and is connected to the printers 23A and 23B by lower interfaces (I / F) 33A and 33B, respectively.

  That is, in this printer 22, the upper interface 31 is a DICOM interface, and various data output from the central processing unit 32 are output to the medical network 9 in the DICOM format under the control of the central processing unit (CPU) 32. In addition, the data in which the IP address of the printer 22 is set is selectively acquired from various data transmitted to the medical network 9 and notified to the central processing unit 32.

  The lower interfaces 33A and 33B are interfaces corresponding to the printers 23A and 23B, respectively. Under the control of the central processing unit 32, various data output from the central processing unit 32 are output to the printers 23A and 23B, and the printer 23A. , 23B is acquired and notified to the central processing unit 32.

  The printing unit 34 includes a paper feeding mechanism used for printing, a printer head, a printer head driving mechanism, and the like. Under the control of the central processing unit 32, the paper is transported and an image based on image data output from the central processing unit 32 is displayed. Print.

  The operation unit 35 is formed by various operators provided on the operation panel of the printer, a touch panel provided on a display unit (not shown), and the like. In the printer 22, the processing mode is set by operating the operation unit 35, and the print priority order of the printer 22 and the printers 23 </ b> A and 23 </ b> B connected to the printer 22 can be set as a condition for image output by user input. It is made like that. Here, in this embodiment, a speed mode that prioritizes increase in processing speed and an eco mode that prioritizes reduction of running cost are provided as the processing modes. The priority order is set for each operation mode. The priority order may be set directly by operating the operation unit 35.

  The random access memory (RAM) 36 constitutes a work area of the central processing unit 32, a buffer for various data communications by the upper interface 31, and the lower interfaces 33A and 33B.

  A read-only memory (ROM) 37 records and holds the processing procedure related to the central processing unit 32 and various font data used for printing together with information related to the lower-level printer. Here, the information related to the lower printer is assigned information such as the printing speed, the type of printing method such as the ink jet method, the thermal method, etc. for various printers that can be connected to the lower interface 33A. Further, the read-only memory 37 also holds information corresponding to information related to these lower-level printers, and information on conditions for image output that can be uniquely handled such as color printing and monochrome printing. . In addition to the memories 36 and 37, the printer 22 includes a non-volatile memory that records and holds printer drivers related to the printers 23A and 23B installed when the printers 23A and 23B are connected.

  The central processing unit 32 controls the operation of the entire printer 22 based on the records in the memories 36 and 37 and the like. In other words, when the power is turned on, the central processing unit 32 acquires information on the type and information on the conditions for corresponding image output from the printers 23A and 23B, and records and stores them in the random access memory 36. In addition, the paper size is detected from a cassette provided in the printer 22, and the printer 22 is detected based on the information on the condition of the unique and compatible image output recorded in the read-only memory 37 and the information on the detected paper size. The image output condition that can be handled with is detected. The central processing unit 32 records and holds in the random access memory 36 the image output conditions that can be dealt with by the printer 22 thus detected. Also, the image output conditions that can be handled by the printers 23A and 23B recorded in the random access memory 36 and the image output conditions that can be handled by the printer 22 are collected. Set the output conditions (referred to as comprehensive image output conditions).

  The central processing unit 32, when notified of the change in the paper size from the printers 23A and 23B, and when the printer 22 detects the change in the paper size, records and holds the printer 22 in the random access memory 36. , 23A and 23B, the corresponding image output conditions are updated, and the comprehensive corresponding image output conditions are updated. Further, when an abnormality such as out of paper is notified from the printers 23A and 23B, the abnormality is recorded in the random access memory 36, and when the abnormality is notified, the abnormality record is deleted.

  The central processing unit 32 notifies the comprehensively applicable image output conditions held in this way in response to requests from modalities 2 to 5. As a result, in the modalities 2 to 5, for example, when the printers 22, 23A, and 23B can print on papers of the A3, A4, and B4 sizes, respectively, it is as if one printer by the printer 22 is used. A user interface can be provided in a selectable manner. Accordingly, in this embodiment, when the operator selects a paper size or the like and instructs printing in the modalities 2 to 5 in accordance with the notification of the comprehensive image output condition, the image output condition according to this instruction is added to the incidental information. The printer 22 is notified of the image data that is set and used for printing.

  The central processing unit 32 processes the image data by executing the processing procedure shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with such a print instruction. That is, the central processing unit 32 moves from step SP1 to step SP2, where the data received by the host interface 31 is fetched into the random access memory 36, the incidental information set in the fetched data is analyzed, and the image output is performed. Get information about the condition of. The obtained image output condition information is analyzed, and the image output condition based on this information is compared with the image output conditions that can be handled by the printers 22, 23 A, and 23 B recorded in the random access memory 36. A printer capable of printing is selected according to the specified conditions.

  At this time, when a plurality of printers can be printed under specified conditions, for example, the central processing unit 22 selects a printer according to an operation mode set by the user by operating the operation unit 35. That is, for example, when the user selects a speed mode that prioritizes increase in processing speed, the printing speed is detected from the record in the read-only memory 37 based on the model information notified from the printers 23A and 23B. Further, based on the detected printing speed and the printing speed of the printer 22 recorded in the read-only memory 37, the printer having the fastest printing speed is selected from the printers that can print under the designated conditions.

  On the other hand, when the user has selected the eco mode that prioritizes the reduction of running cost, similarly, the printer that can print under these specified conditions depending on the type of printing method recorded in the read-only memory 37. Therefore, the printer with the lowest running cost is selected. Thus, the central processing unit 32 sets the priority order for the printers 22, 23A, and 23B according to the operation mode set by the user, and selects the printer based on this priority order.

  If a printer capable of printing according to the specified condition is recorded in the random access memory 36 as related to an abnormality such as a paper jam, the central processing unit 32 indicates this abnormality in the modalities 2 to 5 related to the printing instruction. Notify and wait for operation by the operator. In such a case, if there is a printer capable of printing under other designated conditions, the other printer is selected.

  Further, regarding the out of paper, this processing procedure is executed by excluding from the selection target in step SP3. If all the printers that can print due to the specified condition cannot cope with the out of paper, the corresponding modalities 2 to 5 are notified of the out of paper.

  By selecting the printer in this way, the central processing unit 32 determines whether or not the selected printer is the printer 23A or 23B connected to the external interface 33A or 33B. It is determined whether to distribute to these printers 23A and 23B.

  If a negative result is obtained here, the central processing unit 32 moves to step SP4, drives the printing unit 34 with the image data recorded in the random access memory 36, thereby printing an image based on this image data, The process proceeds to step SP5 and the processing procedure is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP3, in this case, the central processing unit 32 proceeds from step SP3 to step SP6, and transfers the image data to the printer 23A or 23B selected in step SP3. At this time, the central processing unit 32 activates the printer driver of the printer 23A or 23B to which this image data is transferred, and passes information and image data relating to image output conditions to this printer driver. Image data is output in the corresponding printer language via the interface 33A or 33B. As a result, the central processing unit 32 transfers the image data according to the setting corresponding to the selected printer 23A or 23B, prints an image based on the image data by the selected printer 23A or 23B, and proceeds to step SP5 to perform this processing. End the procedure.

  In such a medical network 9 as well, there is a case where an ordinary computer is connected and used for data transfer other than file transfer in the DICOM format. Thus, the central processing unit 32 outputs data to the printer 23A or 23B without any processing if the data input from the host interface is data to be used for printing by these computers or the like. In this case as well, the central processing unit 32 determines the image output condition relating to this data based on the type information relating to the printers 23A and 23B held in the random access memory 36, and outputs it to the printer 23A or 23B. . Thus, in this embodiment, the multimedia printers 23A and 23B are connected to the medical network 9 and can be used effectively.

(2) Operation of the embodiment In the above configuration, the medical network system 21 (FIG. 2) corresponds to the printers 23A and 23B connected to the printer 22 by the printer 22 directly connected to the medical network 9. The possible image output conditions are detected, and the image output conditions that can be handled by the printer 22 are added to the image output conditions that can be handled by the printers 23A and 23B. Is done.

  Further, the medical network system 21 acquires image data of affected areas with modalities 2 to 5 respectively, and when an operator instructs the printing of an image based on the image data, a comprehensive compatible image output held in the printer 22 is output. The corresponding modalities 2 to 5 are notified of, and the user interface of the printer 22 held in the modalities 2 to 5 accepts designation of the paper size, paper type, and the like. As a result, in the modalities 2 to 5, it is possible to select conditions that can be printed by the printers 22, 23 </ b> A, and 23 </ b> B by the same operation as when operating one printer, and the operator related to the printing conditions correspondingly. The operability is improved. Also, on this medical network 9, IP addresses are set only for the printer 22, and management on the network for the printers 23A and 23B can be omitted. Printers can be used.

  Thus, designation of the paper size, paper type, etc. is accepted in this way, and the medical network system 21 receives image output conditions in modalities 2 to 5, respectively. The DICOM file is added to the image data to be used for printing, and the file is transferred to the printer 22.

  Also, the image data by this file is selected by the printer 22 as a printer that matches the image output conditions set in the supplementary information. If the selected printer is the printer 22, the printer 22 selects an image based on this image data. When the selected printer is the printer 23A or 23B connected to the printer 22, the image data is transferred to the printer 23A or 23B according to the setting corresponding to the printer 23A or 23B. The printer 23A or 23B prints.

  Thus, in the printer 23A or 23B that is difficult to cope with DICOM, the image data is supplied to the image output according to the image output condition set in the image data by connecting to the medical network 9 via the printer 22. Can be distributed between the printer 22 and the printer 23A or 23B, and when this image data is output as an image by this distribution, the setting of the printer 22 can be processed so that the language of the corresponding printer is changed. Thus, an image based on this image data can be printed. Thus, in this embodiment, a general-purpose device can be applied to an imager of a medical network so as to be controllable by modality. In addition, regarding a printer in which processing related to image output is output to paper, a general-purpose device can be applied to an imager of a medical network so as to be controllable by modality.

  Specifically, for example, if the printers 22, 23A, and 23B hold sheets of paper sizes A3, A4, and B5, respectively, the modalities 2 to 5 are the paper sizes of these A3, A4, and B5. Is selected as an image output condition, and when the A3 paper size is selected by this user interface, the printer 22 is selected, and the printer 22 outputs an image of the A3 paper size. Is done. When the A4 and B5 paper sizes are selected, the printers 23A and 23B are selected, and the printers 23A and 23B output images with the A4 and B5 paper sizes, respectively.

  However, in such a printer that can select different paper sizes, the size is large compared to a printer whose paper size is determined by a cassette or the like, and the installation location becomes a problem. On the other hand, in this embodiment, similarly to such a large printer, printing can be performed with these plural paper sizes, and when connecting via an interface, these printers 22 and 23A can be used. , 23B can be installed at various installation locations, and the system can be used effectively in a limited space such as a private hospital.

  For example, when the printers 22, 23A and 23B are black and white thermal printers, black and white laser printers, and color ink jet printers, the modalities 2 to 5 allow the user interface to select monochrome and color image output. When an image output in color is selected by the user interface, an image is output by the corresponding printer 23B. On the other hand, when monochrome image output is selected, an image is output by the printer 22 or 23A.

  As a result, a print result in a desired format can be output by a simple operation. Even in this case, however, when the printer is configured to be compatible with a plurality of printing formats, the shape becomes large and the setting of the installation location is limited. However, in the case of this embodiment, the printers 22, 23A, 23B can be printed in a plurality of printing formats, and the degree of freedom of layout relating to the printers 22, 23A, 23B can be increased.

  In such a printer selection in the printer 22, in this embodiment, the operation mode is set by the operation of the operation unit 35, whereby the priority order of the printers 22, 23A, and 23B is set. In this embodiment, when there are a plurality of printers that can meet the image output conditions set in the image data, the printers are selected according to this priority order, and images are output by this printer.

  In other words, when the user selects a speed mode that gives priority to the printing speed, the information on the printing speed held in the printer 22 is used to select from a plurality of printers that can support the image output conditions set in the image data. The printer with the fastest printing speed is selected. In addition, when the user selects the eco mode that gives priority to the running cost, the information of the printing method stored in the printer 22 is used to select a plurality of printers that can support the image output conditions set in the image data. The printer with the lowest running cost is selected. Thus, in this embodiment, the operator's intention can be reflected in the selection of the printer. Even in this case, when the printers 23A and 23B are selected, the setting is changed so that the printer 22 can process the image data, and the image data is transferred. As a result, a general-purpose device can be controlled by the modalities 2 to 5. It can be applied to medical network imagers. In addition, regarding a printer in which processing related to image output is output to paper, a general-purpose device can be applied to an imager of a medical network so as to be controllable by modality.

  Also, when selecting in this way, in the case of a printer that runs out of paper, this printer is excluded from the selection target and the printer is selected, and for example, the printers 22, 23A, and 23B are set to the same paper size. In this case, the number of sheets of paper that can be printed can be simply set to three times, thereby improving usability.

(3) Effects of the Embodiment According to the above configuration, the processing of the image data input from the network is performed according to the image output condition set by the user according to the image output condition set in the image data. General-purpose equipment is applied to medical network imagers, etc. so that it can be controlled by modality by distributing image data to output devices and transferring image data to other image output devices with corresponding settings. be able to.

  In addition, since this image output is an output to paper, a general-purpose printer can be applied to an imager of a medical network or the like so as to be controllable by modality.

  In this embodiment, the corresponding printer is selected by adding the gradation of the image data set in the supplementary information to the determination criterion. For this reason, in this embodiment, information on gradations that can be handled is acquired from a printer connected by a lower interface. In this case, as in the information on the printing speed in the first embodiment described above, information on gradations that can be handled by a connectable printer is stored, and the corresponding gradation is detected from the stored information. It may be. This embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that this printer selection criterion is different.

  As in this embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by selecting the printer by adding the gradation of the image data, which is one of the image output conditions, to the determination criterion. In addition, by adding gradation to the determination criterion in this way, it is possible to omit gradation conversion processing and the like, and to output a printing result with gradation according to the gradation of the image data. Can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image output condition such as the paper size is set by each modality by the operator's operation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and information specifying the printer is the image output condition. May be transmitted from the modality side, and the printer may be selected based on this information. In this way, the modality side can set which printer the image is output from.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which, when there are a plurality of printers that can cope with the image output condition, the printer is selected according to the image output condition by the user input that is the priority set by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the printer is selected according to the priority set by the user except for the paper type, the printer is selected according to the conditions of image output added to the image data, and the user In relation to the selection of the printer according to the condition of the image output by the input, various settings can be made as necessary, and the selection of the printer according to the condition of the image output added to the image data is omitted, and the user input The image may be output only by selecting the printer according to the image output condition according to.

  In the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to an image output device such as a monitor device. In this case, for example, in the case where a monitor device is provided instead of the printer 23A of FIG. 2, the system can be simply configured to be adaptable to monitor diagnosis.

  In the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a printer related to a medical network system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to a network using a special interface.

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and an image output apparatus control method, and can be applied to, for example, a network printer that prints an image by a medical image diagnostic apparatus or the like.

It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the central processing unit of the printer in the medical network system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a medical network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a printer in the medical network system of FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the conventional medical network system. It is a block diagram which shows the conventional medical network system which concerns on the example different from FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 11, 21 ... medical network system, 2-5 ... modality, 6 ... server, 8 ... monitor, 9 ... medical network, 10A, 10B, 22, 23A, 23B ... printer, 31 …… Upper interface, 32 …… Central processing unit, 33A, 33B …… Lower interface, 35 …… Operation unit

Claims (7)

In an image output apparatus for connecting to a network and outputting an image based on a medical digital image output from an image data output apparatus connected to the network and image data in accordance with a communication standard,
A network interface for connecting to the network and inputting the image data from the network;
An interface for another image output device connected to another image output device and outputting the image data to the other image output device;
Image output means for outputting an image based on the image data;
An interface for the network, an interface for the other image output device, and a control means for controlling the operation of the image output means,
The control means includes
Based on image output condition information added to the image data input via the network interface, an image output device used for processing the image data is selected,
If the selected image output device is its own device, based on the image output condition information, the image output means outputs a corresponding image,
When the selected image output device is the other image output device, the setting of the image data is changed to a setting according to a language corresponding to the other image output device, and the other image output device is transferred to the other image output device. An image output device, wherein the data after setting change is transferred via an interface for the image output device, and a corresponding image is output from the other image output device. Output of the image by the image output means,
The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output apparatus outputs an image by printing on paper. Information about the image output condition is
The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image output apparatus is information relating to the sheet. In an image output apparatus for connecting to a network and outputting an image based on a medical digital image output from an image data output apparatus connected to the network and image data in accordance with a communication standard,
A network interface for connecting to the network and inputting the image data from the network;
An interface for another image output device connected to another image output device and outputting the image data to the other image output device;
Image output means for outputting an image based on the image data;
Input means for receiving input of image output conditions based on the image data;
An interface for the network, an interface for the other image output device, and a control means for controlling the operation of the image output means,
The control means includes
Based on the image output condition information input by the input means, select an image output device to be used for processing the image data input via the network interface,
If the selected image output device is its own device, based on the image output condition information, the image output means outputs a corresponding image,
When the selected image output device is the other image output device, the setting of the image data is changed to a setting according to a language corresponding to the other image output device, and the other image output device is transferred to the other image output device. An image output device, wherein the data after setting change is transferred via an interface for the image output device, and a corresponding image is output from the other image output device. Output of the image by the image output means,
The image output device according to claim 4, wherein the image output device outputs an image by printing on paper. Information about the image output condition is
The image output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information is priority order information with respect to the other image output apparatus. In a method for controlling an image output apparatus connected to a network and outputting an image based on a medical digital image output from an image data output apparatus connected to the network and image data in accordance with a communication standard,
Based on image output condition information added to the image data input via the network interface, an image output device to be used for processing the image data is selected,
If the selected image output device is its own device, it outputs a corresponding image based on the information on the image output condition,
When the selected image output device is another image output device, the setting of the image data is changed to a setting according to a language corresponding to the other image output device, and the other image is output to the other image output device. A method for controlling an image output apparatus, comprising: transferring data after setting change via an interface for an output apparatus and outputting a corresponding image from the other image output apparatus.

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