KR101146016B1 - System and method for remote-controlling ultrasound diagnostic device using mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for remotely controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a mobile terminal, to select an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled from a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in a mobile terminal, and to remotely control the selected ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Remotely transmits the remote control information to the selected ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, connected to the mobile terminal and the wireless network in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and performs a function corresponding to the remote control information transmitted from the mobile terminal, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a mobile terminal Provides a control system and method.

Ultrasonic diagnostic system, mobile terminal, remote control, wireless interface

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE CONTROL OF ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS DEVICE USING MOBILE TERMINAL {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE-CONTROLLING ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE USING MOBILE TERMINAL}

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an exemplary view showing an example of a control data mapping table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exemplary view showing an example of a soft menu mapping table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the mobile terminal for remote control of the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exemplary view showing an example of a control data mapping table displayed on a display unit of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for adding a new ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart showing a key mapping table changing procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing a soft menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus controlled by the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of Signs of Major Parts of Drawings>

100: ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system 110: mobile terminal

111: control unit 112: keypad

113: memory 114: wireless interface unit

115: display unit 120: ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

121: control unit 122: air interface unit

123: memory

The present invention relates to a remote control system, and more particularly, to a system and method for remotely controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a mobile terminal.

In general, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus irradiates an ultrasonic signal from a body surface of a subject toward a desired part of the body, and uses the information of the reflected ultrasonic signal (ultrasonic echo signal) to invade an image of soft tissue tomography or blood flow. It is a device obtained by. Compared with other imaging devices such as X-ray diagnostics, X-ray CT scanners, magnetic resonance images, nuclear medicine diagnostics, etc. Since there is no exposure to X-rays and the like, it has high safety and is widely used for diagnosing the heart, abdomen, urinary gynecology and gynecology.

In particular, the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a control panel for a user to operate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The control panel displays a menu for optimizing the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit, provides a function of selecting a displayed menu, moves a cursor displayed on the screen of the display unit, and displays a Cine image. It includes a trackball that provides functions such as searching images, a keyboard that inputs text and provides a shortcut function according to a measurement mode, and is equipped with an ultrasound diagnostic system to move up, down, left, and right according to the position of the patient. have. However, the conventional control panel is mounted on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so as to move up, down, left and right only within a predetermined range, so that the user needs to operate the control panel with the other hand while holding the probe in one hand. As a result, the user diagnoses the patient in a very uncomfortable posture, which provides a problem for the user.

To alleviate this inconvenience, a foot switch and a wireless remote controller are provided that can operate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus far from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. However, the foot switch is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in a wired manner, which not only restricts space and adds functions, but also makes fine adjustments by hand. In addition, the wireless remote control can be limited in space and fine adjustment, which is a disadvantage of the foot switch, there is a problem that must be purchased separately.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for remotely controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a mobile terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus remote control system of the present invention selects the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled by a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, and the remote control information for remotely controlling the selected ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. A mobile terminal for transmitting to the diagnostic device; And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus connected to the mobile terminal through a wireless network and performing a function corresponding to the remote control information transmitted from the mobile terminal.

In addition, the mobile terminal for remotely controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes a third storage means for storing remote control information for remote control of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; Input means for selecting an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled and the remote control information; A third wireless interface for transmitting the remote control information selected by the input means to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receiving ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus information transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; And third control means for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal.

In addition, a method of remotely controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a mobile terminal of the present invention includes the steps of: a) receiving selection information of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled by the mobile terminal; b) receiving, at the mobile terminal, selection information of remote control information to remotely control the selected ultrasound diagnostic device; c) transmitting, at the mobile terminal, the selected remote control information to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; And d) in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, performing a function corresponding to the remote control information transmitted from the mobile terminal.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system 100 according to the present invention includes a mobile terminal 110 and the ultrasonic diagnostic device 120.

The mobile terminal 110 includes a control unit 111, a keypad 112, a memory 113, a wireless interface unit 114, and a display unit 115. The mobile terminal 110 includes a transmission / reception antenna, a CDMA chip, a voice input / output unit, a decoder, a decoder, and the like. In addition, the mobile terminal 110 is a terminal with a built-in wireless function, and includes a cellular phone, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) phone, a CDMA-2000 phone, a PDA, and the like.

The controller 111 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 110. For example, when the mobile terminal user selects a remote control mode for remotely controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 using the keypad 112, the controller 110 switches the wireless interface unit 140 to an on state. Based on the numeric keys input through the keypad 120, data (hereinafter referred to as control data) for controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 is transferred to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 through the wireless interface unit 114. Control to be transmitted.

The keypad 112 includes numeric keys for inputting telephone numbers, numbers, letters, and the like, function keys for performing specific functions (for example, a "*" key for displaying a soft menu list corresponding to the current diagnosis mode). , “#” Key for changing the state of the mobile terminal to the initial state), a menu key for displaying functions provided by the mobile terminal 110, and the like. Each numeric key of the keypad 112 is mapped with control data for remotely controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 120 and a soft menu corresponding to each diagnostic mode.

The memory 113 may include a remote control program for remotely controlling the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 120, information of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that can be remotely controlled using the mobile terminal 110, and a control data mapping table corresponding to the remotely controllable ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. And a soft menu mapping table corresponding to each diagnostic mode. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the control data mapping table is a table in which control data for controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 is mapped to each numeric key of the keypad 112, and is assigned to each numeric key by a mobile terminal user. The mapped control data can be changed. In addition, the soft menu mapping table is a table in which a soft menu corresponding to each diagnostic mode is mapped to each numeric key of the key 112, as shown in FIG.

The wireless interface unit 114 is wirelessly connected to the wireless interface unit 122 of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120, and includes data of the memory 113 under the control of the control unit 111, where the data includes control data and the like. Input), transmitted to the wireless interface unit 122 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 120, and receives the data transmitted from the wireless interface unit 122 and transmits to the control unit 111. The wireless interface unit 114 may be any device that can transmit and receive data wirelessly. For example, the wireless interface unit 114 may be made of infrared, Bluetooth, wireless USB, and the like.

The display 115 displays a list of ultrasonic diagnostic devices that can be remotely controlled, a control data mapping table, a soft menu mapping table, a list of control data, and the like, for remote control under the control of the controller 111.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 includes a control unit 121, a wireless interface unit 122, and a memory 123. Here, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 may further include a probe, a beam former, an image processor, a control panel, and the like.

The controller 121 controls the overall operation of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120. For example, the controller 121 controls the wireless interface unit 122 to receive data transmitted from the mobile terminal 110, analyzes the received data, and controls the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 based on the analysis result. To control.

The wireless interface unit 122 is wirelessly connected to the wireless interface unit 114 of the mobile terminal 110, and under the control of the controller 121, the wireless diagnostic unit information stored in the memory 123 may be wirelessly connected to the mobile terminal 110. The controller transmits the data to the interface unit 114, receives the data transmitted from the air interface unit 114, and transmits the data to the controller 121. As described above, the wireless interface unit 122 may be any device capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. For example, the wireless interface unit 114 may be made of infrared, Bluetooth, wireless USB, and the like.

The memory 123 stores information of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120. Here, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus information includes a model name of the ultrasound diagnosis system 120, control data for controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, soft menu information, and the like.

4 to 9, the procedure for remotely controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a mobile terminal for remotely controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the control unit 111 of the mobile terminal 110 selects a remote control mode in which the mobile terminal user can remotely control the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 120 through a shortcut or menu selection of the mobile terminal 110. It is determined whether (S110).

If it is determined in step S110 that the remote control mode is selected, the control unit 111 executes the remote control program installed in the mobile terminal 110 (S120), and turns on the wireless interface unit 114 of the mobile terminal 100. Switch to the state (S130).

Subsequently, the control unit 111 inquires the memory 113 of the mobile terminal 110 to generate a list of remotely controllable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses stored in the memory 113 (S140), and generates the list by using the mobile terminal ( The display is displayed on the display 115 of 100 (S150).

The controller 111 determines whether the user of the mobile terminal selects the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled from the list displayed on the display 115 (S160).

If it is determined in step S160 that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled is not selected, the control unit 111 determines whether the mobile terminal user adds a new ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (S230), and determines that a new ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is not added. In step S220, if it is determined that a new ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is added, step A is performed. Step A will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S160 that the ultrasonic diagnostic device to be controlled remotely, the control unit 111 reads out the control data mapping table corresponding to the selected ultrasonic diagnostic device from the memory 113 (S170), the read control data The mapping table is displayed on the display 115 as shown in FIG. 5 (S180).

Subsequently, the controller 111 determines whether a user inputs a numeric key of the keypad 112 (S190).

If it is determined in step S190 that the numeric key is not input, the control unit 111 determines whether the user changes the control data mapping table (S240), and if it is determined that the control data mapping table is not changed, performing step S220. On the other hand, if it is determined that the control data mapping table is changed, step B is performed. Step B will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S190 that the numeric key is input, the control unit 111 controls the control data corresponding to the input numeric key based on the control data mapping table through the wireless interface unit 114, the ultrasound diagnostic device 120 To be transmitted to (S200).

Subsequently, the controller 111 determines whether the user inputs a function key of the keypad 112 (S210), and if it is determined that the function key is input, the controller 111 performs step C of FIG. 7 while the function key is not input. If it is determined, it is determined whether the user exits the remote control mode according to the present embodiment (S220).

If it is determined in step S22 that the remote control mode has not been terminated, the process returns to step S190, and if it is determined that the remote control mode is terminated, the controller 111 terminates the remote control mode.

6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of adding a new ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, if it is determined that the user adds a new ultrasound diagnostic device to remote control, the control unit 111 of the mobile terminal 110 generates a request message for requesting information of the new ultrasound diagnostic device to be added. In operation S310, the generated request message is transmitted to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus through the wireless interface unit 114 of the mobile terminal 110 (S320). In this case, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus information includes a model name, control data, soft menu information, and the like of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

Subsequently, the controller 111 determines whether the wireless interface unit 114 receives the ultrasound diagnostic device information transmitted from the ultrasound diagnostic device (S330).

If it is determined in step S330 that the ultrasound diagnostic device information is received, the control unit 111 forms a control data mapping table and a soft menu mapping table corresponding to the ultrasound diagnostic device based on the received ultrasound diagnostic device information (S340). . At this time, the control unit 111 arbitrarily maps the numeric keys and the control data to form a control data mapping table, and also randomly maps the numeric keys and the soft menu to form a soft menu mapping table.

The controller 111 stores the received ultrasound diagnostic device information, the formed control data mapping table and the soft menu mapping table in the memory 113 of the mobile terminal 110 (S350).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of changing a control data mapping table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, when it is determined that the user wants to change the control data mapping table of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled, the control unit 111 of the mobile terminal 110 determines whether the user inputs a numeric key to be changed (S410). ).

If it is determined in step S410 that the numeric key to be changed is input, the control unit 111 detects control data corresponding to the corresponding ultrasound diagnostic device from the memory 113 (S420), and the mobile terminal 110 detects the list of detected control data. Display on the display unit 115 (S430).

Subsequently, the controller 111 determines whether the mobile terminal user selects control data (S440).

If it is determined in step S440 that no control data is selected, the process returns to step S430, and if it is determined that control data is selected, the control unit 111 based on the numeric key input in step S410 and the control data selected in step S440. The control data mapping table stored in the memory 113 is changed (S450).

The control unit 111 determines whether the user terminates the change procedure of the control data mapping table according to the present embodiment (S460). If it is determined that the change procedure of the control data mapping table is not finished, the control unit 111 returns to step S410. If it is determined that the procedure of changing the control data mapping table is finished, the process returns to step S170 of FIG.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of executing a soft menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, when the user inputs a function key of the keypad 112, the control unit 111 of the mobile terminal 110 analyzes the input function key (S510), the input function key corresponds to the current diagnostic mode It is determined whether the * key for displaying the soft menu list or the # key for changing the state of the mobile terminal to the initial state (S520).

If it is determined that the function key input in step S520 is the # key, the control unit 111 switches the state of the mobile terminal to the initial state (S640).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the function key input in step S520 is the * key, the control unit 111 reads out the soft menu mapping table corresponding to the diagnostic mode selected in step S190 from the memory 113 (S530).

The controller 111 determines whether the freeze mode is selected (S540), and if it is determined that the freeze mode is not selected, the controller 111 displays the read soft menu mapping table on the display 115 of the mobile terminal 110 (S580). On the other hand, if it is determined that the freeze mode is selected, a soft menu that is not available in the freeze mode state is detected from the read soft menu mapping table (S550), and the soft menu is not available in the freeze mode state for the corresponding soft menu. After performing the processing, for example, transparent processing (S560), the soft menu mapping table is displayed on the display unit 115 of the mobile terminal 110 as shown in FIG. 5 (S570).

Subsequently, the controller 111 determines whether the user inputs a numeric key of the keypad 112 (S590), and if it is determined that the numeric key is input, the controller 111 displays a soft menu corresponding to the input number based on the soft menu mapping table. By analyzing (S600), it is determined whether or not the soft menu can be used (S610).

If it is determined that the soft menu is usable in step S610, the soft menu information corresponding to the input numeric key is transmitted to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 based on the soft menu mapping table (S620).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S610 that the soft menu is unavailable, an error message indicating that the unavailable soft menu is selected is displayed on the display 115 of the mobile terminal 110 (S630).

 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus controlled by the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the control unit 121 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 120 determines whether data transmitted from the mobile terminal 110 is received through the wireless interface unit 122 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 120 (S710).

If it is determined in step S510 that the data is not received through the wireless interface unit 122, the controller 121 determines whether to terminate the control procedure of the ultrasound diagnostic device 120 (S790), If it is determined that the control procedure is finished, all the processors are terminated, and if it is determined that the control procedure of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 is not terminated, the process returns to step S710.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S710 that the data is received through the air interface unit 122, the controller 121 analyzes the received data (S720), and determines whether the received data is a request message (S730).

If it is determined that the data received in step S730 is a request message, the control unit 121 is the ultrasonic diagnostic device information from the memory 123 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 120 (here, the ultrasonic diagnostic device information, as described above, ultrasonic diagnostics) And a model name of the device, control data, soft menu information, etc.) (S740), and the read-out ultrasound diagnostic device information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 110 through the wireless interface unit 220 (S750).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the data received in step S730 is not a request message, it is determined whether the received data is control data or soft menu information (S760).

If it is determined in step S760 that the received data is control data, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 is controlled (S770) based on the received control data, and if it is determined that the received data is soft menu information, the controller 121 ) Controls the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 120 based on the received soft menu information (S780).

While the invention has been described and illustrated by way of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

As described above, according to the present invention, by remotely controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic system using a mobile terminal which is generally held, there is no need to separately provide a wireless remote controller, thereby providing a user with portability and convenience of use. .

Claims (14)

A mobile terminal for selecting an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled by a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses and transmitting remote control information for remotely controlling the selected ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to the selected ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; And Is connected to the mobile terminal via a wireless network, and includes an ultrasonic diagnostic device for performing a function corresponding to the remote control information transmitted from the mobile terminal, The mobile terminal, Ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system displaying a list of ultrasonic diagnostic devices that can be remotely controlled. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal First storage means for storing the remote control information; Input means for selecting an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled and the remote control information; A first wireless interface for transmitting remote control information corresponding to a function selected by the input means to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receiving ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus information transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; And First control means for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal Ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system comprising a. The ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system according to claim 2, wherein the first air interface means is infrared, Bluetooth or wireless USB. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound diagnostic device Second storage means for storing ultrasonic diagnostic device information; Second air interface means for transmitting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus information stored in the second storage means to the mobile terminal and receiving data transmitted from the mobile terminal; And Second control means for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on the remote control information transmitted from the mobile terminal Ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system comprising a. 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control system according to claim 4, wherein the second wireless interface means is infrared, Bluetooth or wireless USB. As a mobile terminal for remote control of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, Third storage means for storing remote control information for remotely controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; Input means for selecting an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled and the remote control information; A third wireless interface for transmitting the remote control information selected by the input means to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and receiving ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus information transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; And And third control means for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal, A mobile terminal further comprising a display for displaying a list of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be controlled remotely. 7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the third air interface means is infrared, Bluetooth or wireless USB. As a method of remotely controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a mobile terminal, a) displaying, by the mobile terminal, a list of ultrasonic diagnostic devices that can be remotely controlled and receiving selection information of an ultrasonic diagnostic device to be remotely controlled; b) receiving, at the mobile terminal, selection information of remote control information to remotely control the selected ultrasound diagnostic device; c) transmitting, at the mobile terminal, the selected remote control information to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; And d) performing, at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a function corresponding to the remote control information transmitted from the mobile terminal; Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus remote control method comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein step a) Generating a list of the remotely controllable ultrasound diagnostic devices and displaying the generated ultrasound diagnostic device list; Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus remote control method comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein step a) a1) determining whether a new ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be remotely controlled is added; a2) if it is determined that a new ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is to be added, generating a message requesting information of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; a3) transmitting the generated request message to the new ultrasound diagnostic apparatus; And a4) storing ultrasonic diagnostic device information transmitted from the new ultrasonic diagnostic device Ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control method further comprising. The method of claim 10, wherein the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus information comprises remote control information for remotely controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. The method of claim 8, wherein step b) b1) forming a remote control information mapping table in which remote control information corresponding to the ultrasonic diagnostic device is mapped to a numeric key of the mobile terminal; b2) displaying the remote control information mapping table; And b3) if it is determined that the numeric key of the mobile terminal is input, transmitting the remote control information corresponding to the numeric key to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on the remote control information mapping table; Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus remote control method comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein step b) b4) changing the remote control information mapping table Ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control method further comprising. The method of claim 8, wherein step d) d1) receiving a message requesting information of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus from the mobile terminal; And d2) transmitting the ultrasound diagnostic device information to the mobile terminal in response to the request message; Ultrasonic diagnostic device remote control method further comprising.

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