KR101628247B1 - Ultrasound apparatus and method for providing information using the ultrasound apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Obtaining ultrasound image data for a target object; Displaying a gain setting window for setting a gain value of the obtained ultrasound image data in a first area of the screen; Receiving a gain value from a user through a gain setting window; And displaying the ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain value is applied on the second area of the screen.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasound apparatus and an ultrasound apparatus,

The present invention relates to a gain setting window for setting a gain value or an ultrasonic apparatus for providing a list of at least one predetermined gain value and an information providing method of the ultrasonic apparatus.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus transmits an ultrasound signal from a body surface of a target body toward a predetermined site in the body and obtains an image of a tomographic layer or blood flow of the soft tissue using information of the ultrasound signal reflected from the tissue in the body.

Such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is advantageous in that it is compact, inexpensive, and can be displayed in real time. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is advantageous in that it is free from exposure to radioactivity and has high stability. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be applied to other image diagnostic apparatuses such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, a CT (computerized tomography) scanner, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) Are widely used.

Generally, the ultrasonic beam passing through the tissue decreases in amplitude or intensity depending on the propagation distance. The attenuation appears in a form in which the amplitude decreases more as the distance traveled increases. The intensity of the ultrasound echo signal received by the attenuation may not be constant. That is, the ultrasound image based on the ultrasound response signal may not have a uniform brightness or the quality of some ultrasound images may be poor. Therefore, a system that can easily compensate the sensitivity of the ultrasound image is needed.

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic apparatus for providing a user interface capable of adjusting a gain value and a list of at least one gain value preset by a user on a touch screen, and an information providing method of the ultrasonic apparatus.

The present invention also relates to an ultrasonic apparatus for applying a predetermined gain value corresponding to identification information of a probe connected to an ultrasonic apparatus to ultrasonic image data, and an information providing method of the ultrasonic apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasound system, comprising: obtaining ultrasound image data for a target object; Displaying a gain setting window for setting a gain value of the obtained ultrasound image data in a first area of the screen; Receiving a gain value from a user through a gain setting window; And displaying the ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain value is applied on a second area of the screen.

The gain value according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of a Time Gain Compensation (TGC) value and a Lateral Gain Compensation (LGC) value.

The screen according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a touch screen.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: displaying an initial gain value according to a depth value of a target object on a gain setting window; And displaying the ultrasound image to which the initial gain value is applied in the second area.

The information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include displaying at least one slide bar capable of setting a gain value on a gain setting window.

The information providing method of the ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include arranging and displaying at least one slide bar along the depth direction of the ultrasonic image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method for an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: sensing touch inputs of a user to at least one slide bar; And extracting a gain value corresponding to the position of the touch input.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: detecting a drag input of a user dragging in a direction perpendicular to at least one slide bar in a gain setting window; And extracting a gain value corresponding to each depth value of the ultrasound image based on the position of the drag input.

The method of providing information of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include moving and displaying an adjustment button on at least one slide bar according to a gain value extracted based on a position of a drag input .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: obtaining a gain line corresponding to a gain value set through a gain setting window; And displaying the obtained gain line in the second area.

The method of providing information of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include displaying a list of at least one predetermined gain value in a third area of the screen.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: receiving a predetermined gain value from a list; Displaying a selected predetermined gain value in a gain setting window; And displaying the ultrasound image to which the selected predetermined gain value is applied in the second area.

The method of providing information of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include inputting a user's additional setting for a selected predetermined gain value.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: storing a gain value set through a gain setting window based on a user input; And displaying an image of the stored gain value in a third area.

The method may further include displaying at least one of the body marker, the application information, and the probe setting information in a list of predetermined gain values.

The method of providing information of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include storing a gain value set through a gain setting window in an external storage medium.

The method of providing information of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include storing a gain value set through a gain setting window in association with at least one parameter value related to an ultrasound image.

The parameters according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of a frequency, a dynamic range, a frame average, a reject level, a gray map, a spatial compound ), DMR +, Harmonic, Scan Area, Edge Enhancement, Speed, Power, Line Density, FSI, Focus Number, And a depth value (depth).

The method of providing information of the ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include transmitting a gain value set through the gain setting window to an external device through wired / wireless communication.

The ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an acquiring unit for acquiring ultrasound image data for a target object; A display unit for displaying a gain setting window for setting a gain value of the obtained ultrasound image data on a first area of the screen and displaying an ultrasound image of the object on a second area of the screen; A user input unit for setting a gain value from a user through a gain setting window; An image processor for generating an ultrasound image displayed on the second area by applying a gain value set through the gain setting window to the ultrasound image data; And a control unit for controlling the acquisition unit, the display unit, the user input unit, and the image processing unit.

The display unit of the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display at least one slide bar capable of setting a gain value on the gain setting window.

The control unit of the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may obtain the gain line corresponding to the gain value set through the gain setting window and control the display unit so that the obtained gain line is displayed in the second area have.

The display unit of the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display a list of at least one predetermined gain value in a third area of the screen.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a memory for storing a gain value set through a gain setting window.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: displaying a list of predetermined gain values on a screen; Selecting one predetermined gain value from the list; And applying the selected predetermined gain value to the ultrasound image data for the target object.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasound system, comprising: obtaining ultrasound image data for a target object; Displaying a gain setting window for setting a gain value of the obtained ultrasound image data in a first area of the screen; Displaying an ultrasound image of a target object on a second area of the screen based on the obtained ultrasound image data; And displaying a list of predetermined gain values in a third area of the screen.

The information providing method of the ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include acquiring a list of predetermined gain values from an external storage medium.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: receiving a predetermined gain value from a list of predetermined gain values; Displaying a selected predetermined gain value in a gain setting window; And displaying the ultrasound image to which the selected pre-set gain value is applied in the second area. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasound system, And further receiving a user's additional setting for the user.

The method of providing information of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include storing a gain value set in advance.

The method of providing information of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include storing a gain value set in the external storage medium.

The method may further include displaying at least one parameter value mapped to a selected predetermined gain value. The parameter value may be a predetermined value related to the ultrasound image have.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: confirming at least one parameter value mapped to a selected predetermined gain value; And applying the identified at least one parameter value to the system.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of a gray map list for determining a gray scale and a curve list for selecting a predetermined area from three-dimensional volume data is displayed on a fourth area of the screen The method comprising the steps of:

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: identifying identification information of a probe connected to an ultrasonic apparatus; Extracting a predetermined gain value corresponding to the identification information of the probe; And applying the predetermined gain value to the ultrasound image data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: displaying a probe list including identification information of at least one probe connected to the ultrasonic apparatus; Receiving identification information of one probe from the probe list; And applying the predetermined gain value corresponding to the identification information of the selected probe to the ultrasound image data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: extracting a plurality of predetermined gain values corresponding to identification information of a probe; Displaying a list of predetermined gain values including a plurality of predetermined gain values; And receiving a predetermined gain value from the list of predetermined gain values.

An information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: receiving application information indicating a diagnosis; And extracting identification information of the probe and a predetermined gain value corresponding to the inputted application information.

The method of providing information of the ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include displaying the extracted predetermined gain value in a predetermined area of the screen.

The method of providing information of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include receiving a user's additional setting for a predetermined gain value displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasound system, comprising: displaying a gain setting window for setting a gain value of ultrasound image data on a screen; Receiving a gain value from a user through a gain setting window; And mapping and storing the set gain value and the identification information of the probe selected by the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method of an ultrasound system, comprising: displaying a gain setting window for setting a gain value of ultrasound image data on a screen; Receiving a gain value from a user through a gain setting window; And a step of mapping and storing the set gain value, the identification information of the probe selected by the user, and the application information indicating the diagnosis.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing an example of a TGC (Time Gain Compensation) setting start screen of the ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating a gain setting window for setting a gain value according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating a screen for setting a gain value from a user according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating a gain line corresponding to a gain value associated with an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a diagram illustrating a list of predetermined gain values associated with an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of storing a gain value of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI for storing a gain value associated with an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a diagram illustrating a gain setting window for setting a value of LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart for explaining an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a diagram illustrating an example of configuration parameters related to an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI for setting a parameter value related to an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI for storing at least one parameter value set in advance.
16 is a flowchart for explaining an information providing method of an ultrasound system based on identification information of probes according to an embodiment of the present invention.
17 and 18 show parameter values and gain values corresponding to user presets selected by the user.
19 is a view for explaining a preset gray map list according to an embodiment of the present invention.
20 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined curve list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Also, in certain cases, there may be a term selected arbitrarily by the applicant, in which case the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term, not on the name of a simple term, but on the entire contents of the present invention.

When an element is referred to as "including" an element throughout the specification, it is to be understood that the element may include other elements as well, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Also, the terms "part," " module, "and the like described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software .

The term "ultrasound image " in the entire specification refers to an image of a target object obtained by using ultrasound. An object can mean a part of the body. For example, a subject may include an organs such as liver, heart, uterus, brain, breast, abdomen, or fetus.

Ultrasonic images can be implemented in various ways. For example, the ultrasound image may be at least one of a brightness mode image, a color mode image, and a D mode image. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasound image may be a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image.

Throughout the specification, the term "user" may be, but is not limited to, a medical professional such as a doctor, nurse, clinician,

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are denoted by like reference characters throughout the specification.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can acquire ultrasound image data from a target object using ultrasonic waves and can provide a GUI (Graphic User Interface) for setting a gain value of ultrasound image data to a user Equipment.

The ultrasonic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in various forms. For example, the ultrasound device 100 described herein may be implemented in the form of a mobile terminal as well as a stationary terminal. Examples of mobile terminals include laptop computers, PDAs, tablet PCs, and the like.

1 (a), an ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit 110, a display unit 120, a user input unit 130, an image processing unit 140, (150). However, not all illustrated components are required. The ultrasonic device 100 may be implemented by more components than the components shown, and the ultrasonic device 100 may be implemented by fewer components.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The acquisition unit 110 may acquire ultrasound image data for the object. The ultrasound image data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be two-dimensional ultrasound image data on a target object or three-dimensional ultrasound image data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the obtaining unit 110 includes a probe (not shown) for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal and a beam former (not shown) for performing transmission and reception focusing of an ultrasonic signal can do.

The probe according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of 1D (Dimension), 1.5D, 2D (matrix), and 3D probe.

The display unit 120 can display and output information processed in the ultrasonic apparatus 100. [ For example, the display unit 120 may display an ultrasound image of a target object on a screen, or may display a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) related to function setting.

In the case where the display panel and the touch pad to be described later have a layer structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display unit 120 may be used as an input device in addition to the output device. The display unit 120 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display A 3D display, and an electrophoretic display. According to the embodiment of the ultrasonic device 100, the ultrasonic device 100 may include two or more display units 120. FIG.

The user input unit 130 means a means for the user to input data for controlling the ultrasonic apparatus 100. For example, the user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact type capacitance type, pressure type resistive type, infrared ray detection type, surface ultrasonic wave conduction type, A tension measuring method, a piezo effect method, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like, but is not limited thereto. Particularly, as described above, when the touch pad forms a layer structure with the display panel, it can be called a touch screen.

The touch screen can be configured to detect not only a real-touch but also a proximity touch. In this specification, the term "real-touch" refers to a case where a pointer is actually touched on the screen, and "proximity-touch" , But approaches a predetermined distance from the screen. In this specification, a pointer is a tool for touching or touching a specific portion of a displayed screen. For example, there are stylus fans and fingers.

Although not shown in the drawings, various sensors may be provided inside or near the touch screen to detect touch or proximity touch of the touch screen. An example of a sensor for sensing the touch of the touch screen is a tactile sensor. A tactile sensor is a sensor that detects the contact of a specific object with a degree or more that a person feels. The tactile sensor can detect various information such as the roughness of the contact surface, the rigidity of the contact object, and the temperature of the contact point.

In addition, a proximity sensor is an example of a sensor for sensing the touch of the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. Examples of proximity sensors include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.

Meanwhile, the user's touch gesture may include a tap, a touch & hold, a double tap, a drag, a panning, a flick, a drag and drop, and a swipe.

The image processing unit 140 may apply the gain value set by the user to the ultrasound image data. That is, the image processing unit 140 may apply the gain value set by the user to the ultrasound image data to generate or change the ultrasound image displayed on the screen.

The controller 150 typically controls the overall operation of the ultrasonic device 100. That is, the control unit 150 can control the acquisition unit 110, the display unit 120, the user input unit 130, the image processing unit 140, and the like as a whole.

1 (b), the ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an acquiring unit 110, a display unit 120, a user input unit 130, an image processing unit 140, In addition, it may further include a memory 160 and a communication unit 170.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and control of the controller 150 and may store data to be input / output (for example, predetermined gain values, ultrasound images, subject information, probe information, application information, Body markers, etc.).

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read- And an optical disc. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may also operate a web storage or a cloud server that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may store a gain value set in a memory (e.g., an internal storage medium or an external storage medium) 160 through a gain setting window.

The communication unit 170 may include one or more components that allow communication between the ultrasonic device 100 and the external device. For example, the communication unit 170 may include a short-range communication module, a mobile communication module, a wireless Internet module, a wired Internet module, and the like.

The short-range communication module is a module for short-range communication. (WLAN), Bluetooth, BLE, UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) infrared Data Association) may be used.

The mobile communication module transmits and receives radio signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless Internet module refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and the wireless Internet module can be built in or enclosed in the ultrasonic device 100. The wired Internet module refers to a module for wired Internet access.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 170 may transmit at least one predetermined gain value to an external device through wired / wireless communication. The external device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet PC, an electronic book terminal, a digital broadcast terminal, a PDA (personal digital assistant) A digital camera, and the like, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

1 (c) is a view showing the appearance of the ultrasonic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 (c), the ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a display unit 120, a user input unit 130, and a probe connection unit 180.

The display unit 120 may display an ultrasound image of a target object. For example, the display unit 120 may display a brightness mode image, a color mode image, a D mode image (Doppler mode image), a two-dimensional image, or a three-dimensional image.

The user input unit 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a touch screen 131 and a control panel 132. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the touch screen 131 may display an ultrasound image, a gain setting window, a list of predetermined gain values, and the like. Further, the touch screen 131 can display a probe list including identification information of a probe connected to the ultrasonic apparatus 100, a plurality of parameter values set by the user, a list of preset items predetermined by the user or the like have.

The ultrasound image displayed on the touch screen 131 may be displayed on the display unit 120 together with the ultrasound image. At this time, the user can observe the change of the ultrasound image while controlling the gain value or the plurality of parameter values through the touch screen 131, and can closely observe the ultrasound image of the target object through the display unit 131. [

The control panel 132 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes hardware buttons such as a trackball, a mode selection button (for example, M, CW, PW, PD, C, 2D, 3D, and 4D modes), a probe button, But is not limited thereto.

The ultrasonic device 100 may include at least one probe connection 180. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can confirm the identification information of the probe connected to the probe connection unit 180. [ For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can receive or read the probe identification information previously stored in the probe. The probes described herein can be of various types.

Hereinafter, a method of providing a gain setting window for setting an ultrasound image and / or a gain value using the above-described configurations of the ultrasonic apparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, an information providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is comprised of steps processed in the ultrasonic apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Therefore, it is understood that the contents described above with respect to the ultrasonic apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 are applied to the information providing method of FIG. 2, even if omitted from the following description.

In step 210, the ultrasound device 100 may acquire ultrasound image data for the object. For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can transmit ultrasound to a target object and generate ultrasound image data based on the ultrasound response signal received from the target object.

In step 220, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a gain setting window for setting a gain value of the ultrasound image data on the first area of the screen. The gain value according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of a Time Gain Compensation (TGC) value and a Lateral Gain Compensation (LGC) value.

The TGC (Time Gain Compensation) value is a value used to compensate for the decrease in the size of the ultrasonic signal according to the depth of the human body. The LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) is a value used to compensate for the unevenness in the attenuation due to the transmission path of the different ultrasonic beams. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the TGC value will be described as an example of the gain value.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display at least one slider bar capable of setting a gain value on a gain setting window. For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may arrange and display at least one slide bar in the gain setting window along the depth direction of the ultrasound image. The depth direction may refer to a direction in which the depth value increases toward the inside of the soft tissue starting from the boundary surface of the diagnosis object to be diagnosed using the ultrasonic device 100.

Meanwhile, a slider bar according to an embodiment of the present invention means a GUI that allows a user to adjust a gain value for a specific depth, respectively.

The at least one slide bar according to an embodiment of the present invention may be arranged in parallel at regular intervals along the depth direction.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the gain value set by the user does not exist at the time of acquiring ultrasound image data, the ultrasound apparatus 100 can display the initial gain value according to the depth value of the object in the first area have. At this time, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display the ultrasound image generated by applying the initial gain value to the screen.

In step 230, the ultrasonic apparatus can receive the gain value set by the user through the gain setting window. That is, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can receive a gain value from a user through a gain setting window.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic device 100 may sense a user's touch input to at least one slide bar. The touch input may be a drag input or a tap input. For example, the user can drag the adjustment button on the slide bar or tap a specific position on the slide bar.

"Drag" means an operation of moving a finger or a touch tool to another position in the screen while the user holds the touch after touching the finger or the touch tool on the screen. The "tap" indicates an operation in which the user immediately touches the screen using a finger or a touch tool (e.g., an electronic pen) and immediately lifts it from the screen without moving.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may extract a gain value corresponding to the position of the sensed touch input. That is, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can obtain the gain value set by the user with respect to the depth value indicated by the slide bar.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic device 100 may sense the drag input of the user dragging in the depth direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to at least one slide bar) within the gain setting window. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can extract a gain value corresponding to each depth value of the ultrasound image based on the position of the drag input (e.g., the coordinates of the pixel where the drag input is sensed).

For example, when the user drags a straight line or a curve while drawing in a direction perpendicular to the slide bar in the gain setting window, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 extracts a gain value corresponding to each dragged position, Can be set to the gain value.

Meanwhile, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may move and display an adjustment button on at least one slide bar according to the gain value extracted based on the position of the drag input.

In operation 240, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display an ultrasound image to which a gain value set by a user is applied through a gain setting window in a second area of the screen. For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can newly generate an ultrasound image for a target object or change a part of the ultrasound image by applying a gain value set by the user to the ultrasound image data in real time.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can observe the ultrasound image applied with the adjusted gain value in real time while adjusting the gain value through the gain adjustment window. As the user sets the gain value higher, the ultrasound image becomes brighter, and when the gain value is set lower, the ultrasound image may become darker.

Hereinafter, a method of setting the TGC value by the ultrasonic device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG.

3 is a view showing an example of a TGC (Time Gain Compensation) setting start screen of the ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may provide a TGC setting button provided on a knob button on a touch screen. Accordingly, when the user touches the TGC setting button 310 on the touch screen, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 enters the TGC setting mode in which the TGC value can be set.

4 is a diagram illustrating a gain setting window for setting a gain value according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a gain setting window 410 for setting a gain value of ultrasound image data in a first area of the screen. At this time, the gain setting window 410 may include a plurality of slide bars, each of which can set a gain value for a plurality of depth values. The plurality of slide bars may be arranged in parallel in the depth direction.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can display the ultrasound image 420 of the object on the second area of the screen. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may be configured such that the second region in which the ultrasound image 420 is displayed and the first region in which the gain setting window 410 is displayed are arranged close to each other, It is possible to prevent the eyes from being dispersed unnecessarily when set.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may acquire the gain line 430 corresponding to the gain value set through the gain setting window 410 and display the gain line 430 in the second area. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

5 is a diagram illustrating a screen for setting a gain value from a user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can set a TGC value by touching at least one slide bar to move an adjustment button on the slide bar, or by a gesture to drag in a direction perpendicular to the slide bar.

As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the user can drag the adjustment button on the slide bar to the left and right. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 senses the drag input of the user and can display an adjustment button at a position where the drag is terminated.

If the user drags the adjustment button on the first slide bar 510 in the left direction, the TGC value corresponding to the depth value indicated by the first slide bar 510 can be reduced. In this case, the brightness of the ultrasound image portion corresponding to the depth value indicated by the first slide bar 510 is lowered and can be displayed dark.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can individually adjust the TGC values for the specific depth values by moving the adjustment buttons of the slide bars assigned to the depth bars.

As shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), the user can set a TGC value corresponding to each of a plurality of depth values as a whole by dragging a line on a gain setting window in a straight line or a curved shape have. At this time, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may detect the drag input of the user and move the adjustment button on the slide bar to the position where the drag input is sensed.

6 is a diagram illustrating a gain line corresponding to a gain value associated with an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may acquire a gain line 630 corresponding to the gain value set through the gain setting window 610 and display the gain line 630 together with the ultrasound image 620.

For example, the ultrasonic device 100 may acquire the gain line 630 by connecting the position of the adjustment button 611 on the plurality of slide bars (i.e., the gain value indicated by the adjustment button). At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can interpolate the gain value between the first slide bar and the second slide bar using the gain value on the first slide bar and the gain value on the second slide bar.

In addition, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may acquire the gain line 630 according to the dragged position when the user sets the gain value by dragging in a straight line or a curved shape on the gain setting window 610.

The ultrasound system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention adjusts the gain line 630 corresponding to the gain set by the user through the gain setting window 610 to the position of the depth value of the ultrasound image 620 Is displayed next to the ultrasound image 620 so that the user can intuitively confirm the shape of the gain line 630 or the inclination of the gain line 630 and the like.

6 shows an example in which the gain line 630 is displayed on the right side of the ultrasound image 620. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the gain line 630 may be displayed on the lower side of the ultrasound image 620, on the upper side, or on the left side.

7 is a diagram illustrating a list of predetermined gain values associated with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display at least one predetermined gain value list 710 in a third area of the screen. The predetermined gain value according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a predetermined gain value by the user or a predetermined gain value in the system.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined list of gain values may be displayed in the form of an image of a gain line corresponding to a predetermined gain value. At this time, the gain line can be expressed in various ways such as a solid line, a dotted line, and a dotted chain line. Meanwhile, the predetermined gain value may be displayed in the form of an image including a plurality of slide bars.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined gain value included in the list 710 may be automatically selected by the ultrasonic apparatus 100 or manually selected by the user.

For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may extract predetermined predetermined gain values, which are typically used frequently, and display the predetermined gain values on the list 710, And may be displayed on the screen.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may extract a predetermined gain value displayed in the third area of the screen based on at least one of the probe setting information, the application information, and the object information. For example, when the user selects the 1D linear probe, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may extract the predetermined gain value stored by mapping with the 1D linear probe and display the extracted gain value on the list 710. [ In addition, when the user selects OB (OBSTETRY) from the application, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may extract predetermined gain values related to the application selected by the user and display the extracted gain values in the list 710.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include at least one of a body marker, application information, and probe setting information in the list 710.

Application information refers to information about ultrasound imaging (diagnosis department) or diagnosis site that performs ultrasound diagnosis. Ultrasonographic imaging includes OB (OBstetrics), GYN (Gynecology, gynecology), PD (PeDiatrics, pediatrics), CS (ChestSurgery, thoracic surgery), RD (Radiology, Radiology), NS (NeuroSurgery, Neurosurgery) (Abdomen), and the like.

The body marker means a figure indicating a position or an object to which the ultrasonic wave is scanned. Examples of body markers include liver, heart, uterine, and the like. The probe setting information may refer to information set for a probe outputting an ultrasonic signal. For example, when a low-frequency curved probe is used, 'low freq convex' may be further displayed in the predetermined gain value, and when a high frequency linear probe is used, a 'high frequency linear 'can be displayed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may select one predetermined gain value from the list 710. [ The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display the selected predetermined gain value in the gain setting window and display the ultrasonic image to which the selected predetermined gain value is applied in the second area. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can receive the user's additional setting for the selected predetermined gain value. That is, the user can modify all or a part of the gain value displayed in the gain setting window to adjust the gain value more closely.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides several types of predetermined TGC values, thereby allowing a user to easily set the TGC value.

Meanwhile, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may provide an initialization button 720 that can initialize the gain value set in the gain setting window. When the touch input to the initialization button 720 is sensed, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display an initial gain value in a gain setting window and an ultrasound image in which an initial gain value is reflected in a second area.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of storing a gain value of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step 810, the ultrasound device 100 may receive a user's save request for the gain set through the gain setting window. The storage request of the user may be performed by touching a specific icon displayed on the screen, or may be performed by selecting a physical button.

In step 820, the ultrasound device 100 may store the gain value set through the gain setting window in the memory 160. [ According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may map and store at least one of the probe setting information and the application information with a gain value set through the gain setting window. In addition, the ultrasound system 100 may store the gain value set through the gain setting window in association with at least one parameter value set in advance in relation to the ultrasound image. This will be discussed in detail later.

In step 830, the ultrasonic device 100 may display an image of the stored gain value in a third area. For example, when the user selects the save button, the ultrasound apparatus 100 stores the gain value displayed in the current gain setting window in the memory 160, and displays, in the list of predetermined gain values, The gain value may be included and displayed. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI for storing a gain value associated with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can output the storage button 930 through a touch screen. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can sense the touch input of the user to the storage button 930. FIG. In this case, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 enters the storage mode.

9B, in the storage mode, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display the gain value displayed in the current gain setting window 910 among the preset list of gain values 940 (or, Lt; / RTI > slot). For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display a yellow border around the buttons 941, 942, and 943 displaying an image of a predetermined gain value.

9 (c), the ultrasound apparatus 100 transmits the gain value displayed in the current gain setting window 910 to the memory 160 (step < RTI ID = 0.0 > And displays an image of the gain value displayed on the current gain setting window 910 on the third button 943. [

9C shows an example in which the image of the third button 943 is changed. However, according to the embodiment, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a button having an image of a gain value displayed in the current gain setting window 910 A new button 943 may be added and displayed.

Therefore, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can display the gain curve corresponding to the corresponding TGC value at the time of storage through a specific button, so that the user can obtain the stored TGC value (or TGC line) Intuitively.

Meanwhile, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide an end button 950 through the touch screen, which can end the TGC setting mode. When the user's touch input to the end button 950 is sensed, the ultrasound device 100 may exit the TGC setting mode.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the touch input of the user is not detected for a predetermined time or longer, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may automatically end the TGC setting mode.

10 is a diagram illustrating a gain setting window for setting a value of LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the above description, the TGC value is described as an example of the gain value, but it goes without saying that the description of the TGC value described in FIG. 3 to FIG. 9 can also be applied to the LGC value.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can provide an LGC setting window on a touch screen. For example, the ultrasonic device 100 can arrange a plurality of slide bars, which can set LGC values, in parallel in the LGC setting window.

At this time, the user may individually set the LGC value by adjusting each of the slide bars, or may set all of the LGC values within a predetermined range at once by dragging a straight line or a curved line in the direction (lateral direction) perpendicular to the slide bar.

The ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display an ultrasound image reflecting the LGC value set by a user on a screen in real time. In addition, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may store the LGC value set by the user in the memory 160, and may display a list of predetermined LGC values on the screen. A detailed description thereof will be omitted because it is similar to the description of the TGC value. Although the TGC setting window and the LGC setting window are displayed on different screens in the drawing, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display the TGC setting window and the LGC setting window on one screen.

11 is a flowchart for explaining an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step 1110, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display a list of predetermined gain values on the screen. The list of predetermined gain values may be displayed as an image in the form of a gain line, or may be displayed as a number or letter indicating a predetermined gain value. A detailed description related to the display of the list of predetermined gain values is omitted because it is redundant with the description of FIG.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention extracts at least one predetermined gain value from the memory 160 or a personalization server (e.g., a cloud server) and outputs at least one predetermined gain value Can be used to construct a list. That is, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can acquire a list of predetermined gain values from an external storage medium or an internal storage medium.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic device 100 may receive a list of predetermined gain values from an external device via wired / wireless communication.

In step 1120, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may select one predetermined gain value from the list. For example, the ultrasonic device 100 may sense a user's touch input (e.g., tap gesture, swipe gesture, flick gesture, etc.) or voice command for a predetermined gain value.

In step 1130, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may apply the selected predetermined gain value to the ultrasound image data for the target object. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 can display the ultrasonic image to which the selected predetermined gain value is applied on the screen.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display a predetermined gain value selected by a user on a gain setting window. For example, the ultrasonic device 100 may move at least one slide bar displayed in the gain setting window according to a selected predetermined gain value.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may receive the user's additional setting for the predetermined gain value displayed in the gain setting window. For example, the user can adjust at least one slide bar displayed in the gain setting window to more finely adjust the predetermined gain value displayed in the gain setting window.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may store a gain value set by a user. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may store gain values set by a user in an internal storage medium or an external storage medium (e.g., USB memory, optical disk).

At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display a gain value stored in an internal storage medium or an external storage medium by adding it to a list of predetermined gain values.

Meanwhile, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may transmit a predetermined gain value or a list of predetermined gain values to an external device through wired / wireless communication. The external device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a user device (e.g., a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a tablet PC, an electronic book terminal, or the like), another ultrasonic device, ), But the present invention is not limited thereto.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method of an ultrasonic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In step 1210, the ultrasound device 100 may acquire ultrasound image data for a target object.

In step 1220, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can display a gain setting window for setting a gain value of the obtained ultrasonic image data in the first area of the screen.

In step 1230, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can display the ultrasound image for the target object in the second area of the screen based on the obtained ultrasound image data.

In step 1240, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display a list of predetermined gain values in a third area of the screen. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may acquire and display a list of predetermined gain values from an external storage medium.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may select one predetermined gain value from the list. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display the selected predetermined gain value in the gain setting window and display the ultrasonic image to which the selected predetermined gain value is applied in the second area.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the ultrasound apparatus 100 may include a gain setting window 910, an ultrasound image 920, and a list 940 of predetermined gain values Can be displayed. In this case, the user may directly adjust the slide bar displayed in the gain setting window 910 to set the TGC value or the LGC value, or set one predetermined gain value (e.g., 943 ).

When the user selects one predetermined gain value (e.g., 943) displayed in the list 940, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 displays the selected predetermined gain value (e.g., 943) in the gain setting window 940 . Further, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may receive additional settings for a predetermined gain value displayed in the gain setting window 940 from the user. The ultrasound apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention stores the gain value set through the gain setting window 910 in the memory 160 or an external storage medium and stores the image of the stored gain value in a predetermined gain value In the list 940 of FIG.

Meanwhile, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display at least one parameter value mapped to a selected predetermined gain value (e.g., 943). According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may identify at least one parameter value mapped to a selected predetermined gain value (e.g., 943), and apply the identified at least one parameter value to the system . That is, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may change the setting of the ultrasonic system to at least one parameter value mapped to the selected predetermined gain value (e.g., 943). This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 13 to FIG.

13 is a diagram illustrating an example of configuration parameters related to an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

13, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, parameters that can be set in relation to an ultrasound image include a frequency 1305, a dynamic range 1310, an average 1315, a reject level 1320, a gray map 1325, a spatial compound 1330, a dynamic magnetic resonance (DMR) 1335, a harmonic A scan area 1345, an edge enhancement 1350, a speed 1355, a power 1360, a line density 1365, , A full spectrum image (FSI) 1370, a focus number 1375, an overall gain value 1380, and a depth 1385.

A frequency 1305 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention refers to a parameter capable of changing the transmission / reception frequency applied to the probe. For example, the user can set a parameter value of frequency 1305 by selecting one of Pen, Gen, and Res.

A dynamic range 1310 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for adjusting a business card by changing a ratio of a minimum value and a maximum value of an input signal. For example, the user can set a parameter value of the dynamic range 1310 by selecting one of values between 50 and 200. [

A frame average 1315 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for reducing random noise of an ultrasound image. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the frame average 1315 by selecting one of the values between 0 and 15. [

A reject level 1320 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for removing noise of an ultrasound image. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the reject level 1320 by selecting one of the values from 1 to 32. [

A gray map 1325 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for changing a post curve of an ultrasound image to determine a gray scale. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the gray map 1325 by selecting one of the values from 1 to 13. [ This will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG.

The spatial compound 1330 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for adjusting the density of the ultrasound image. For example, the user may set the parameter value of the spatial compound 1330 by selecting one of low / med / high.

DMR + (Dynamic Magnetic Resonance) 1335 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for post-processing an ultrasound image, and is a parameter capable of reducing noise and emphasizing an edge. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the DMR + (Dynamic Magnetic Resonance) 1335 by selecting one of the values between 1 and 5.

The harmonic 1340 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for optimizing an ultrasound image using a high frequency. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the harmonic 1340 by selecting one of On and off.

A scan area 1345 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for adjusting the width (%) of the ultrasound image. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the scan area (Scan Area) 1345 by selecting one of the values between 40 and 100.

Edge enhancement 1350, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is a parameter that articulates the interface of a tissue or organ. For example, the user may set the parameter value of the edge enhancement 1350 by selecting one of the values between -3 and 3. [

The speed 1355 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a parameter that increases the resolution by adjusting the speed of tissue. For example, the user can set the parameter value of speed 1355 by selecting one of the values between 1440 and 1620 (m / s).

The power 1360 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for selecting the intensity of the ultrasonic output. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the power 1360 by selecting one of the values between 10 and 100. [

The line density 1365 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for adjusting the density of the ultrasound image. For example, the user can set the parameter value of Line Density 1365 by selecting one of low / mid1 / mid2 / high.

The FSI (Full Spectrum Image) 1370 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for adjusting the mixing ratio of frequencies. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the FSI (Full Spectrum Image) 1370 by selecting one of the values from 1 to 3.

A focus number 1375 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for setting the position and number of foci. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the focus number 1375 by selecting one of values between 1 and 4.

The total gain value 1380 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for adjusting the brightness of the ultrasound image. For example, the user can set the parameter value of the total gain value 1380 by selecting one of the values from 1 to 100. [

A depth 1385 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a parameter for adjusting the depth of the ultrasound image to be scanned. The parameter value of the depth 1380 according to an embodiment of the present invention may depend on the type of the probe. For example, in the case of a convex probe, the user can set a parameter value for depth 1380 by selecting a value between 6 and 30 cm.

14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI for setting a parameter value related to an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide a setting window 1400 for setting each parameter value related to an ultrasound image.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), the ultrasonic apparatus 100 includes a frequency 1305, a dynamic range 1310, and a frame average 1315 A reject level 1320, a gray map 1325, a DMR 1335, a harmonic 1340, a speed 1355, an FSI 1370, and the like. A setting window 1400 for setting a parameter value can be provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14B, a scan area 1345, an edge enhancement 1350, a power 1360, a line density 1365, And a setting window 1400 for setting a parameter value such as a parameter value.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may sense a parameter value inputted (or selected) by the user through the setting window 1400. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may store parameter values inputted (or selected) by the user in response to a storage request of the user. In this regard, reference is made to Fig.

15 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI for storing at least one parameter value set in advance.

As shown in FIG. 15 (a), according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a user touches a specific icon on the touch screen 131 or selects a specific button on the control panel 132 , The ultrasonic apparatus 100 may provide a GUI 1500 capable of storing parameter values set by the user.

For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may include a GUI 1500 capable of adjusting a gain value or at least one parameter value related to an ultrasound image on the touch screen 131 when a selection of a probe button 1510 is detected by the user .

15B, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 displays a probe list 1520 including identification information of at least one probe connected to the ultrasonic apparatus 100 in a predetermined area of the GUI 1500 . For example, when the probe 1 (C2-8), the probe 2 (L5-13), and the probe 3 (VE4-8) are connected to the ultrasonic apparatus 100, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 transmits the probe list 1520, The identification information of the probe 1 (C2-8), the probe 2 (L5-13), and the probe 3 (VE4-8) can be displayed. The identification information of the probe is information for identifying the probe, and may include the image of the probe, the probe name, the kind of the probe, and the like.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasound device 100 may sense an input of a user selecting at least one probe in the probe list 1520. For example, the user may select probe 3 (VE4-8) in the probe list 1520. [

The ultrasound device 100 may also display a list 1530 of applications (diagnoses) in a predetermined area of the GUI 1500 and receive selections from the user about the applications. For example, the user can select Abdomen (abdomen) from the application list.

At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can display a list of the presets corresponding to the probe 3 (VE4-8) selected by the user. Further, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention may display a list of presets corresponding to the probe 3 (VE4-8) and the application (Abdomen) selected by the user. At this time, the list of the preset according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a system preset including parameters that can not be changed, which are preset on the system, and a user preset including parameters arbitrarily set by the user.

The ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a default area 1540 in which system presets to which unmodifiable parameters are mapped on the system are displayed and a user preset 1540 to which the parameters arbitrarily set by the user are mapped It is possible to provide the arbitrary area 1550 to be displayed on the GUI 1500. [

When the user selects a preset item (e.g., Fetal Heart) from the list of the presets corresponding to at least one of the probe and the application and touches the predetermined button 1560, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 displays the selected preset item Fetal Heart < / RTI >

For example, as shown in FIG. 15C, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 maps a preset item (Fetal Heart) to a preset frequency 1305, a frame average 1315, A gray map 1325, a harmonic 1340, a line density 1365, a focus number 1375, and the like. At this time, the user may change the respective parameter values displayed on the screen to create a new user preset. The newly created user preset may be displayed in the arbitrary area 1550. [ At this time, the user can set a newly created user preset name.

For example, the first user may generate a user preset having the name 'user1', and may store the plurality of parameter values set by the first user in 'user1'. Also, the second user may map and store a plurality of parameter values set by the second user in a user preset having the name 'user2'. On the other hand, when the third user sets the parameter values in relation to the face of the fetus, the third user can map and store the parameter values set in relation to the face of the fetus in the user preset having the name 'Face'.

The user may also set a gain value and add a set gain value to create a new user preset. For example, when the user touches the TGC button on the screen, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may provide a setting window for setting a gain value (e.g., TGC).

As shown in FIG. 15 (d), the ultrasound apparatus 100 provides a gain setting window and receives a gain value from a user through a gain setting window. The method of receiving the gain value from the user through the gain setting window of the ultrasonic device 100 has been described above, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the ultrasonic apparatus 100 receives a storage request for a set gain value from the user, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may generate a user preset including the set gain value. In this case, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the gain value set by the user is mapped to at least one of the probe (e.g., probe 3) and application information (e.g., Abdomen) selected by the user and stored as a user preset . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gain value set by the user may be stored in the arbitrary region 1560 as a user preset together with predetermined parameters. Therefore, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention allows a user to create a TGC line frequently used for each probe and store the same in a user preset. For example, a user may connect a TGC line commonly used in carotid ultrasound to a probe used for carotid ultrasound. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can generate a preset mapping table including the identification information of the probes, the parameters related to the ultrasonic image, and the gain values mapped to each other, and store the preset mapping table in the memory 160.

15, a method of adjusting a parameter value or setting a TGC value after first selecting a probe and an application has been described as an example. However, after setting a parameter value or a TGC value according to an embodiment of the present invention, You can also choose to connect.

Hereinafter, a method of automatically extracting a gain value mapped with a probe and extracting the stored gain value and applying the same to a system will be described.

16 is a flowchart for explaining an information providing method of an ultrasound system based on identification information of probes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step 1610, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can confirm the identification information of the probe connected to the ultrasonic apparatus 100. For example, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can identify identification information (e.g., probe name, probe ID, probe type, etc.) of a connected probe by receiving identification information of the probe stored in the memory of the probe.

On the other hand, when a plurality of probes are connected to the ultrasonic apparatus 100, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may confirm the identification information of a plurality of probes and display a list of probes including identification information of a plurality of probes .

In step 1620, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can extract a predetermined gain value corresponding to the identification information of the probe. For example, based on the identification information of the probe, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can extract a predetermined gain value mapped with the identification information of the probe in the preset mapping table.

Meanwhile, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may select the identification information of one probe in the probe list including the identification information of the plurality of probes connected to the ultrasonic apparatus 100. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may extract a predetermined gain value corresponding to the identification information of the selected probe.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may extract a plurality of predetermined gain values corresponding to the identification information of the probe. In this case, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can display a list of predetermined gain values including a plurality of predetermined gain values on the screen. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may select one predetermined gain value from the list of predetermined gain values.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of predetermined gain values corresponding to the identification information of the probe may be included in each of the plurality of user presets. That is, the predetermined gain value may be stored as a user preset together with other parameters. In this case, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display a user preset list corresponding to the identification information of the probes, and may select one user preset from the user preset list.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasound apparatus 100 can receive application information indicating diagnosis. For example, application information may include OB (OBstetrics), GYN (Gynecology, gynecology), PD (PeDiatrics, pediatrics), CS (ChestSurgery, thoracic surgery), RD (Radiology, Radiology), NS (NeuroSurgery, ), Abdomen (abdomen), and the like.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may extract the identification information of the probe and predetermined gain values corresponding to the application information selected by the user.

In step 1630, the ultrasound device 100 may apply the predetermined gain value to the ultrasound image data.

For example, when the ultrasonic apparatus 100 acquires ultrasound image data for a target object by using a probe selected by a user, the ultrasound apparatus 100 calculates a predetermined gain value corresponding to the probe selected by the user It can be applied to ultrasound image data. That is, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can automatically extract the gain value stored in the map and apply it to the system.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display a predetermined gain value corresponding to the identification information of the probe connected to the ultrasonic apparatus 100 in a predetermined area of the screen.

When there are a plurality of probes connected to the ultrasonic apparatus 100, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display a predetermined gain value corresponding to the identification information of the probes selected by the user among the plurality of probes on the screen. At this time, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can receive the user's additional setting for the preset gain value displayed on the screen. That is, the user can check the predetermined gain value mapped to the selected probe and adjust the predetermined gain value more finely.

Hereinafter, a case where gain values are stored together with various parameters in a user preset corresponding to identification information of a probe will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG.

17 and 18 show parameter values and gain values corresponding to user presets selected by the user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display a preset list corresponding to identification information of the selected probe and application information. At this time, the preset list may include at least one user preset including at least one parameter value and a gain value preset in association with the ultrasound image. 17 (a), when the user selects 'user 1' in the preset list, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 applies preset parameter values and gain values mapped to 'user 1' to the system Or displayed on the screen.

For example, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may calculate parameters (e.g., DMR +: on, Frequency: Res, Dynamic Range: 117, Frame Avg. : 5, Reject Level: 1, Gray Map: 9, Line Density: Med, Power: 96, Scan Area: 100, Fucus Number: 1) and TCG line.

18 (a), when the user selects 'user 2' in the preset list, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 transmits predetermined parameter values and gain values mapped to 'user 2' And display it on the screen.

For example, as shown in FIG. 18 (b), the ultrasound apparatus 100 may calculate parameters (e.g., DMR +: on, Frequency: Pen, 10, Reject Level: 2, Gray Map: 10, Chroma Map: 3, Power: 80, Scan Area: 100) and TGC lines.

At this time, the user may edit (e.g., delete, add, change) the respective parameter values and the TGC line included in the user preset. In addition, the user may change the name of the user preset. For example, the user can change 'User 1' to 'face'.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may display a list of at least one parameter among a plurality of parameters preset in association with the ultrasonic image. For example, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide a list of gray maps for determining the gray scale or a list of curves for selecting a predetermined area in the three-dimensional volume data. A more detailed description will be given with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG.

19 is a view for explaining a preset gray map list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 19 (a), according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can adjust the shape of the gray map 1900 for determining the gray scale. For example, the user can set the shape of the gray map 1900 in various shapes such as a straight line shape, a parabola line shape, and an S shape. On the other hand, if there is a request from the user, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may store the gray map set by the user. The gray map according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a gray map for a two-dimensional image or a gray map for a three-dimensional image.

As shown in Fig. 19 (b), the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can display a predetermined gray map list on the screen. The predetermined gray map list may be displayed as an image in a line form, or may be displayed in numbers or letters.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention extracts at least one predetermined gray map from the memory 160 or a personalization server (e.g., a cloud server), and extracts at least one predetermined gray map Can be used to construct a list. That is, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can acquire a list of predetermined gray maps from an external storage medium or an internal storage medium.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may receive a list of predetermined gray maps from an external apparatus via wired / wireless communication.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can select one preset gray map from the gray map list. For example, the ultrasound device 100 may sense a user's touch input (e.g., a tap gesture, a swipe gesture, a flick gesture, etc.) or a voice command for one preset gray map. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can apply the selected predetermined gray map to the ultrasound image data for the target object.

The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may display the selected gray map on the screen and receive the user's additional setting for the selected gray map. That is, the user can more finely adjust the shape of the selected gray map.

20 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined curve list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 20 (a), according to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can adjust the shape of a curve 2000 for selecting a predetermined region in three-dimensional volume data. The shape of the curve according to an embodiment of the present invention may vary. On the other hand, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may store the shape of the curve set by the user when requested by the user.

As shown in Fig. 20 (b), the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can display a predetermined curve list on the screen. The preset curve list can be displayed in image form. The ultrasonic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention extracts at least one predetermined curve image from the memory 160 or a personalization server (e.g., a cloud server), and extracts at least one predetermined curve image Can be used to construct a curve list. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 may receive a curve list from an external apparatus via wired / wireless communication.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a curve list together with an application type (e.g., OB) associated with a curve, a body marker (e.g., a fetal face), and the like.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can select one curve from the curve list. At this time, the ultrasonic apparatus 100 can apply the selected curve to the ultrasound image data for the object.

The ultrasound system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a list of various parameters related to ultrasound images in addition to a gain value (e.g., TGC or LGC), so that a user can easily set various parameters related to ultrasound images do.

The method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in the form of a program command which can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and constructed for the present invention or may be available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magnetic media such as floppy disks; Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include machine language code such as those produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, It belongs to the scope of right.

100: Ultrasonic device
110:
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130: user input section
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160: Memory
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180: probe connection portion

Claims (28)

Displaying a plurality of items corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined gain value sets in a first area of a screen;
Receiving a user input for selecting a first item from among the plurality of items corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined gain value sets; And
Displaying a first set of gain values corresponding to the first item among the plurality of items on a gain setting window of a second area of the screen in response to the user input,
Wherein each of the plurality of items displayed in the first area includes an image corresponding to the set of predetermined gain values. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the plurality of items comprises:
And displaying images of gain lines corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined gain value sets. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the information is displayed in the form of an image including a plurality of slide bars. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the plurality of items comprises:
Storing the plurality of preset gain value sets in a storage medium; And
And displaying the plurality of items based on the plurality of preset gain value sets stored in the storage medium. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein storing the plurality of predetermined gain values comprises:
And storing the set of gain values currently displayed in the gain setting window in the storage medium when a user input for selecting a save button is received. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the first set of gains comprises:
And in response to the user input, selecting the first set of gain values corresponding to the first item from among the plurality of predetermined gain value sets. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the first set of gains comprises:
And reading the first set of gain values from a storage medium storing the plurality of preset gain value sets. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the first set of gain values on the gain setting window comprises:
And displaying an adjustment button on at least one slide bar included in the gain setting window based on each of the gain values included in the first set of gain values. 2. The method of claim 1,
Receiving an input that modifies at least one gain value among gain values included in the first set of gain values;
Adjusting the at least one gain value based on the received input to obtain a new set of gain values; And
And storing the new set of gain values in a storage medium according to a user's request. The method as claimed in claim 9,
Generating a new item associated with the new set of gain values stored in the storage medium; And
And displaying the generated new item. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 11. < / RTI > 10. The method of claim 9, wherein storing the new set of gain values comprises:
And swapping an image of the first item to an image corresponding to the new set of gain values. 2. The method of claim 1,
Providing an initialization item for initializing a plurality of adjustment buttons corresponding to each of the plurality of slide bars included in the gain setting window; And
Further comprising arranging the plurality of adjustment buttons on the plurality of slide bars in a row based on a user input for selecting the initialization item. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the plurality of items comprises:
Determining identification information of a probe connected to the ultrasonic device;
Selecting a plurality of preset gain value sets corresponding to the determined identification information; And
And displaying the plurality of items based on the selected plurality of preset gain value sets. Displaying a plurality of items corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined gain value sets in a first area and receiving a user input for selecting a first item among the plurality of items corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined gain value sets touch screen; And
And in response to the user input, controlling the touch screen to display a first set of gain values corresponding to the first item among the plurality of items on a gain setting window of the second area of the touch screen,
Wherein each of the plurality of items displayed in the first region includes an image corresponding to the plurality of predetermined gain value sets. 15. The apparatus of claim 14,
And controls the touch screen to display images of gain lines corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined gain value sets on the plurality of items. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the ultrasonic wave is displayed in the form of an image including a plurality of slide bars. The ultrasound diagnostic system according to claim 14,
And a storage medium for storing the plurality of predetermined gain value sets. 18. The apparatus of claim 17,
And controls the storage medium to store a set of gain values currently displayed in the gain setting window when a user input for selecting a save button is received. 15. The apparatus of claim 14,
And selects the first set of gain values corresponding to the first item from the plurality of predetermined set of gain values in response to the user input. 15. The apparatus of claim 14,
And reads the first set of gain values from a storage medium storing the plurality of preset gain value sets. 15. The apparatus of claim 14,
And displays an adjustment button on at least one slide bar included in the gain setting window based on the respective gain values included in the first set of gain values. 15. The touch screen of claim 14,
Receiving an input that modifies at least one gain value among the gain values included in the first set of gain values,
Wherein the control unit controls the at least one gain value to obtain a new gain value set based on the received input and stores the new gain value set in a storage medium according to a user's request, . 23. The apparatus of claim 22,
Generates a new item associated with the new set of gain values stored in the storage medium, and controls the touch screen to display the generated new item. 23. The apparatus of claim 22,
And swaps the image of the first item to an image corresponding to the new set of gain values. 15. The apparatus of claim 14,
Providing an initialization item for initializing a plurality of adjustment buttons corresponding to each of a plurality of slide bars included in the gain setting window, and based on a user input for selecting the initialization item, Are arranged in a line. 15. The apparatus of claim 14,
Determining the identification information of the probe connected to the ultrasonic apparatus, selecting the predetermined set of the predetermined gain values corresponding to the determined identification information, and selecting the plurality of items based on the selected plurality of predetermined set of gain values And controls the touch screen to display the ultrasonic image. 15. The touch screen of claim 14,
Wherein the ultrasonic device is connected to a control panel including at least one hardware button associated with controlling the function of the ultrasonic device. The ultrasound diagnostic system according to claim 14,
Further comprising a main screen different from the touch screen and displaying an ultrasound image of a target object.

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