JPH0283615A - Image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of sheets of films by outputting an image signal as hard copy after storing in a frame memory once and applying an image edit processing such as an overwrite processing, etc. CONSTITUTION:A medical image recording system 10 is constituted of the image signal source 12 of a CT scanner, etc., and an image output device 14, and the image output device 14 is constituted of an image interface part 16 and a laser printer part 18. When designation information stored in a memory means 40 is the one to execute the overwrite processing, image information based on a new image signal outputted from the image signal source is stored in the same address range as the prescribed address range of the frame memory 36 under the function of an edit processing means 30. Thereby, overwrite recording in which the image is recorded on the same image position before it is recorded on a recording sheet can be performed actually, and the number of recording sheets from which data corresponding to required display data is eliminated can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to an image output device that obtains a hard copy according to an input image information signal.
When recording many images on a single recording sheet based on image information signals output from a medical image diagnostic device such as a CT scanner, the images to be recorded on the recording sheet are first recorded in a frame memory and then stored on the recording sheet. The present invention relates to an image output device that enables substantially overwriting recording at the same image position of an image recorded in the frame memory as necessary before actual recording.

[Background of the Invention] For example, if a medical image diagnostic device such as a CT scanner continuously reproduces the area around the affected area of the human body as image information, the affected area itself and the surrounding situation can be clearly understood. This is extremely convenient for doctors and others. In fact, by exposing and recording a plurality of pieces of image information as described above, especially on a photosensitive material, and storing it as a hard copy, it is possible to use it for medical diagnosis without being restricted by time or place.

As described above, a multi-format camera device can be cited as an example of an image output device that records a plurality of pieces of image information on one recording sheet. The device displays an output signal from a medical diagnostic device such as a CT scanner as an image on a CRT, and then displays the image displayed on the CRT through a photographing lens.
It is configured so that continuous images can be taken on film via a movably configured imaging optical system consisting of a shutter device, a mirror, and the like. This multi-format camera device records multiple images on one sheet of film. In fact, by recording interrelated images on a single film, medical diagnosis is greatly facilitated and the number of films to be stored can be significantly reduced, resulting in a reduction in film storage space. It is said that it can be made extremely small.

By the way, as mentioned above, in the medical diagnosis field that uses a multiformer 7) camera device that records multiple images on a single film, the image currently being observed may have been previously observed and has already been exposed and recorded on the film. There are many cases in which it is determined that the image clearly represents the condition of the affected area compared to the original image.

However, in such cases, with conventional multi-format camera equipment, it is not possible to overwrite the same position where exposure has already been recorded on the film, and it is not possible to overwrite the same position where the exposure has already been recorded on the film. This creates the inconvenience of having to record images by exposure. In the end, a situation occurred in which it was necessary to store a film containing both images suitable for diagnosis and images that were not necessary, and this became an inconvenience that did not meet the requirements for efficient use of space. I will do it.

``Object of the Invention The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, and is aimed at recording a plurality of images on one recording sheet based on an image signal and image information output from an original. , an image output device that can substantially overwrite and record images at the same image position before actually recording on a recording sheet, thereby reducing the number of recording sheets required. The purpose is to provide.

[Means for Achieving the Object] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention stores image information in a frame memory once based on an image signal output from an image signal source, and then stores the image information in the frame memory. an image output device that outputs a hard copy according to image information stored in the image signal, comprising: an editing processing means for inputting at least one type of image information based on the image signal into a predetermined address range of a frame memory; and image information stored in the frame memory. memory means for storing specification information specifying whether or not to perform overwrite processing, and when the specification information stored in the memory means is specification information to the effect that overwrite processing is to be performed; The present invention is characterized in that image information based on a new image signal output from the image signal source is stored in the same address range as a predetermined address range of the frame memory under the action of the editing processing means.

[Embodiments] Next, preferred embodiments of the image output device according to the present invention in relation to a medical image recording system to which the image output device is applied will be listed and explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates the medical image recording system, and this medical image recording system 10 basically includes an image signal source 12 constituting a medical image diagnostic apparatus (not shown) such as a CT scanner and the present invention. The image output device 14 includes an image interface section 16 and a laser printer section 18.

The image signal source 12 includes a CRT 20 as a display means, and the image PCR,P (P
=0.1.2, . . .) are outputted in accordance with the signal lines 22 and 24, respectively, to the A/D converter 26 and the control signal D6 that constitute the image interface section 16. It is introduced into the communication interface 27.

The output image data after being A/D converted by the A/D converter 26 is recorded in the frame memory 28 corresponding to each image of the CRT 2O images PCR, . The digital image data S2 outputted from the frame memory 28 is introduced into a separate frame memory 36 as digital image data S via the image editing processing section 30, the output interface 32, and the input interface 34 that constitutes the laser printer section 18. Ru.

In this case, the image editing processing section 30 performs an enlargement/reduction process for the image PCR, recorded in the frame memory 28, and an overwriting process for the frame memory 36 based on soft switch data recorded in the knot switch memory 40, which will be described later. , so-called overlay) (OVER
WRITE) processing, etc. (7) W collection processing is executed. This editing process uses formant array data, which will be described later, supplied from an external storage device 42 such as a floppy disk and output from a format array memory 44, and information input by an operator such as a doctor using an operation panel 46 serving as an input means. is executed under the control of the control section 50. As shown in the figure, the operation panel 46 constituting the image interface section 16 is normally attached to the image signal source 12 side and used to input data to the image interface section 16 by remote control.

Additionally, a keyboard 48 attached to the image signal source 12
is used to determine the ON or OFF state of a soft switch, which will be described later.

An example of format array data recorded in the format array memory 44 is schematically shown in FIG. As can be understood from the same figure, the former 7) array data has identification codes B, l (M=0
．． 1,...) are assigned, and for example, information related to the identification code BM=BQ is assigned to the four images PCR, , (P=0, 1.2.3) in frame memory 3
In other words, this information is used to designate the address range ARo to AR3 on the hard copy HP to be arranged and recorded on the hard copy HP.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the soft switch data recorded in the soft switch memo January 0.

In this case, the soft switch has an identification code of 5WN (N=0
．． 1.2.3) A soft switch with four types of functions represented by 1.2.3), namely, an overwrite switch SWO
, auto print switch SW, auto remote switch SW2, print count reset switch SW
3, and input from the keyboard 48 specifies the ON or OFF states of the four types of switches.

Here, the overwrite switch SWo performs overwrite processing on the frame memory 36, that is, the frame memory 36
This is a switch for specifying whether or not to overwrite the same address position on 6.Auto print switch SW
, are switches for specifying that a hard copy HP is automatically output when all images corresponding to the image array indicated by the data contents of the formant array memory 44 are recorded in the frame memory 36.

On the other hand, the IJ motor switch SW2 is a switch that specifies that the control by the operation panel 46 is prohibited during initial rise and fall, and the image output device 14 is automatically placed under the control of the image signal source 12 (host) side. The print count reset switch SW3 is the frame memory 3
After instructing to output multiple images stored in 6, this is a switch that specifies whether to print the same number of copies as the previous time when printing next time, or whether to return to the standard number of copies (usually 1). be. The default value of the print count reset switch SW3 is set to 1, and it is controlled so that only one hard copy HP is output when the print key 62 (see FIG. 4) on the operation panel 46 is pressed. . It is also possible to change the default value.

In addition to the print key 62, the operation panel 46 has a store key 64 that specifies storing data in the frame memory 36, a format designation key 60 that specifies the identification code Bx of the format array memory 44, and which address on the frame memory 36. A forward key 66 and a reverse key 68 are provided for determining the range, that is, the position in the image array specified by the format array memory 44 and the format designation key 60 (see FIG. 2) to be stored. ing. Here, the forward key 66 has an identification code Bx in the format array memory 44, for example. -When selected as Bo,
Each time the forward key 66 is pressed once, the address range of the image PCR1p to be recorded in the frame memory 36 is specified by AR, -A Rl-A R2→A R3→A Ro
- is a key for moving in the forward order, and is a reverse key 6
8, on the contrary, specifies the address range of the image PCR,P to be recorded in the frame memory 36 from ARo→A R3-
This key is used to move in the reverse order: A R2 -> A R1 - A Ro -. Further, a liquid crystal display 70, for example, as a display means is arranged on the operation panel 46,
The liquid crystal display 70 displays a display related to the data content recorded in the soft switch memory 40 and a display related to the data content recorded in the format array memory 44.

The image information recorded in the frame memory 36 after the above-mentioned editing process such as arrangement of the image format is introduced into the laser scanning section 74 via the video converting section 72, and is transferred onto the film F conveyed by a conveying means (not shown). Images and the like are exposed and recorded according to the image information. The film F exposed and recorded in this way is developed in an automatic developing section 76, and a hard copy HP corresponding to the image information introduced into the frame memory 36 is output. Note that the respective components constituting the image interface section 16 and the laser printer section I8 are driven and controlled under the action of the control section 50 and the control section 78, respectively.

The medical image recording system incorporating the image output device according to this embodiment is basically configured as described above, and its operation and effects will be explained next.

First, when installing the apparatus, the above-mentioned soft switches SWo to SW3 are designated as 0N10FF using the keyboard 48. Here, auto remote switch Sw
2 is in the OFF state, a doctor or the like operates the operation panel 46 attached to the image interface unit 16 to set a format for obtaining a hard copy HP for the affected area to be diagnosed. The content of this format setting specifies the arrangement of images to be output as a hard copy HP from the laser printer section 18 constituting the image output device 14.

In this case, the format designation key 60 on the operation panel 46
By operating the format array memory 4 shown in FIG. 2 on the LCD display 70 on the operation panel 46.
The data stored in 4 is displayed. That is, by using the format designation key 60, for example, the identification code B
By selecting B,=B as M, the image P displayed on the CRT 20 constituting the image signal source 12 is
Data for arranging CR,, in the address range AR, to AR3 of the frame memory 36 (Fig. 2, identification code Bx
=Bo (see data in the data content column corresponding to Bo) is displayed. Note that when the auto remote switch SW2 is ON, the format arrangement is automatically designated by the image signal source 12.

Hereinafter, in this embodiment, all soft switches S
The explanation will be given assuming that among Wo to SW, only the overwrite switch SW0 is in the ON state and all the other switches are in the OFF state.

Former 7) When the settings are completed, the control unit 50 sends data to the image signal source 12 via the communication interface 27 indicating that preparations for receiving the video signal Sa are completed.

Therefore, a doctor or the like operates the imaging unit of the main body of the medical image diagnostic apparatus (not shown) to display the first image PCR3° of the subject, that is, the diagnostic region, on the CRT2O of the image signal source 12 attached to the medical image diagnostic apparatus. do. Then, when outputting the image PCR,o as a hard copy HP, a predetermined operation on the image signal source 12 is performed. At this time, the image signal S6 is continuously output from the image signal source 12.

In this state, the store key 64 on the operation panel 46
The video signal S carrying data corresponding to the image PCR, output from the image signal source 12 by pressing
a is introduced into the A/D converter 26 via the signal line 22, converted into digital image data, and recorded in the frame memory 28 as data corresponding to the image PCR,o.

Digital image data S2 related to the image PCR,o recorded in the frame memory 28 is introduced into the image editing processing section 30. Furthermore, the digital image data S related to the images PCR, .
Introduced in Ro. In this state, the operation panel 4
The image on the liquid crystal display 70 at 6 is displayed as shown in FIG. That is, the part of the frame memory 36 that corresponds to the address range ARo is painted black, and the other address ranges AR to AR3, in which no images have been taken yet, are displayed only as outline frames, and within that, the next storage area is displayed. The address range AR, which corresponds to the digital image data S4 regarding the target image PCR, , is displayed blinking. This display on the display 70 allows an operator such as a doctor to understand the current recording state of the frame memory 36.

Next, the doctor etc.
The second image PCR, , is displayed on top and observed. In this case, if it is determined that the display image PCR,, is an image that more accurately represents the situation of the affected area compared to the image PCR+o previously stored in the frame memory 36,
If the doctor decides that the previous image is unnecessary and wants to overwrite it (override processing), the doctor presses the reverse key 68 once. This has already resulted in image PCR. The address range ARo where is recorded, that is, the blacked-out area becomes blinking, and the doctor or the like is informed that image data can be recorded in the blinking area. Therefore,
By pressing the store key 64 again, the image PCR currently observed on the CRT 20 is stored in the address range A Ro.
,, are stored. This action is so-called override processing.

If both the previously stored image PCR,o and the image PCR++ to be stored this time are required, the data carrying the image PCR, , can be saved by pressing the store key 64 without pressing the reverse key 68. , are stored in the address range AR+ corresponding to the blinking portion shown in FIG. Then, the flashing portion is turned into a black portion, and the address range AR2 is displayed flashing, allowing the doctor or the like to know that the next image can be recorded in the flashing portion. Note that the above-mentioned overwrite process is possible only when the overwrite switch SWo is in the ON state, and if the overwrite switch SWo is designated in the OFF state, the reverse key 68 is pressed in the display state of FIG. If you press it once, the address range ARO in the black part will not blink and will change to the address range AR3.
is in a blinking state, and the address range ARo is controlled so that no overwrite processing can be performed.

In this way, the C RT that sequentially constitutes the image signal source 12
Image PCR, displayed on 2O. By pressing the store key 64, PCR13 can be sequentially recorded in the predetermined address range ARO to AR3 of the frame memory 36 in accordance with the format arrangement shown in FIG. In this case, for example, if the address ranges AR to AR3 of the format array display on the liquid crystal display 70 constituting the operation panel 46 are all displayed in black,
That is, the address range A Ro of the frame memory 36
When all the image data is stored in AR3 to AR3, the operator such as a doctor presses the print key 62. Through this operation, the image data stored in the frame memory 36 is converted into exposure data in the video conversion unit 72, and based on the exposure data, the laser scanning unit 74 applies the image data onto the film F which is conveyed in the sub-scan by a conveying means (not shown). At this point, the laser beam is main-scanned and an image is exposed and recorded two-dimensionally on the film F. In this way, the exposed film F is automatically developed in the automatic developing section 76, and then
As shown in FIG. 6, four images PCR+o to PCRI3 observed by the image signal source 12 are recorded on one hard copy HP and output.

In addition, as mentioned above, the soft switch S shown in FIG.
When image data is stored in all address ranges ARO to AR3 in the frame memory 36 by keeping the auto print switch SW1 in the ON state in W, that is, the address range AR displayed on the liquid crystal display 70 [When all the frames corresponding to + to AR3 are blacked out, a hard copy HP is automatically output. In addition, by keeping the auto remote switch SW2 of the soft switches SW in the ON state, the format setting is automatically performed under the control of the image signal source 12 as described above, and image signal capture and printing are performed automatically. All controls are performed automatically. Furthermore, by keeping the print count reset switch SW3 in the ON state during the soft switch SWO, it is possible to automatically control the number of output sheets when outputting the next hard copy HP to be the same number as the previous time.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when a hard copy is created in an image output device according to an image signal output from an image signal source, the image signal is temporarily stored in a frame memory and then The image is configured to be output as a hard copy after image editing processing such as write processing is performed. Therefore, when an image that more accurately represents the condition of the affected area is observed on the monitor display attached to the image signal source than the image previously stored in the frame memory, the overwrite function allows the image to be stored in the frame memory. Stored image data can be rewritten. This makes it possible to output only images that accurately represent the condition of the affected area as a hard copy, making it possible to reduce the number of sheets of film used, especially compared to multi-format cameras that directly convert input image signals into hard copies. This has the effect of reducing the

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
Of course, various improvements and changes in design are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a medical image recording system incorporating an image output device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic explanation of data contents stored in a format array memory in the image output device shown in FIG. Figure 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of data recorded in the soft switch memory in the image output device, and Figure 4 is the image a.
Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the gap in which the image format arrangement is displayed on the display section of the operation panel shown in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the operation panel inside the device. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a hard copy. 10...Medical image recording system 12...Image signal source 14...Image output device 16...Image interface section 18...Laser printer section 36...Frame memory D2...Control signal F.・Film H
P...Hard copy Sa...Video signal S2
, l:) 4...Digital image data FIG, 4 FIG, 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In an image output device that temporarily stores image information in a frame memory based on an image signal output from an image signal source, and then outputs a hard copy according to the image information stored in the frame memory, an editing processing means for inputting at least one type of image information based on the frame memory into a predetermined address range of the frame memory; and a memory means for storing specification information for specifying whether or not to perform overwrite processing on the image information stored in the frame memory. and when the designation information stored in the memory means is designation information to perform overwrite processing, the address range is the same as the predetermined address range of the frame memory under the action of the editing processing means. An image output device characterized in that it is configured to store image information based on a new image signal output from the image signal source.