KR102565499B1 - Ultrasonic apparatus, and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

When a selection command for a frame image being displayed is input, if the shaking degree of the selected frame image is large or an alternative image display command is input, an ultrasonic device that replaces and displays a frame image with a small shaking degree prior to a selected point in time and a control method thereof are provided. .
An ultrasound apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes an image processing unit generating a plurality of frame images based on ultrasound signals; a display sequentially displaying the plurality of frame images; an input unit that receives a command to select a frame image being displayed on the display from among the plurality of frame images; and when the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the input exceeds a predetermined threshold or an alternative image display command is input, displaying at least one of frame images having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold before the selected time point. a controller for controlling the display; can include

Description

Ultrasonic device and its control method {ULTRASONIC APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME}

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic device for providing an image of an ultrasonic signal to a user and a method for controlling the same.

An ultrasound device is a device that irradiates ultrasound waves from a body surface of an object toward a specific body part and non-invasively obtains an image of a soft tissue slice or blood flow using information of the reflected echo ultrasound.

Ultrasound devices are small and inexpensive, can display an image of an object in real time, and have high safety because there is no exposure to X-rays or the like. Due to these advantages, ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses are widely used for diagnosis of heart, breast, abdomen, urology, and obstetrics and gynecology.

The ultrasound apparatus may display an ultrasound image in real time based on an ultrasound signal (echo ultrasound) reflected from an object. If the currently displayed ultrasound image includes information about the anatomical position of the object to be diagnosed, the user may input a command to select the corresponding image. When a selection command is input, the ultrasound apparatus may continuously provide the currently displayed ultrasound image to the user by stopping the displayed ultrasound image in real time.

The disclosed embodiment provides an ultrasonic device that replaces and displays a frame image having a small shaking degree prior to a selection point in time when a shaking degree of the selected frame image is large or an alternative image display command is input when a selection command for a frame image being displayed is input, and a control thereof provides a way

An ultrasound apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes an image processing unit generating a plurality of frame images based on ultrasound signals; a display sequentially displaying the plurality of frame images; an input unit that receives a command to select a frame image being displayed on the display from among the plurality of frame images; and when the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the input exceeds a predetermined threshold or an alternative image display command is input, displaying at least one of frame images having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold before the selected time point. a controller for controlling the display; can include

In addition, the control unit determines the N-th frame image based on a difference between an N-th frame image among the plurality of frame images and an N-1-th frame image immediately preceding the N-th frame image (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2). The shaking degree of can be obtained.

Also, the controller may control the display to display a frame image most adjacent to the selected frame image among frame images prior to the selected point in time having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold.

In addition, the control unit may, before the selection time point, if a time interval including a plurality of contiguous frame images having shaking less than or equal to the threshold exceeds a predetermined threshold time, at least one frame included in the time interval The display may be controlled to display an image.

Also, the controller may control the display to display a frame image having the lowest shaking degree among a plurality of frame images included in the time interval.

Also, the controller may control the display to simultaneously display a plurality of frame images selected according to the shaking degree among a plurality of frame images included in the time interval.

Also, the display may display shaking degrees of the plurality of frame images simultaneously displayed.

Also, the input unit may receive a command for selecting one of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously.

Also, when one of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously is selected by the input, the controller may control the display to enlarge and display the selected frame image.

In addition, the controller may control the display to display information about the degree of shaking of the selected frame image when the degree of shaking of the selected frame image exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In addition, a speaker outputting information related to the ultrasonic device as sound; The control unit may control the speaker to output information about the degree of shaking of the selected frame image as a sound when the degree of shaking of the selected frame image exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Also, the ultrasound probe acquires an ultrasound signal including information about the object in real time; The image processing unit may generate the frame image in real time based on the ultrasound signal obtained in real time.

In addition, a storage unit for storing at least one of the frame images generated in real time; may further include.

Also, the control unit may control the storage unit to store frame images having shaking less than or equal to the threshold among the frame images generated in real time.

A control method of an ultrasound apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes sequentially displaying a plurality of frame images generated based on ultrasound signals; receiving a command for selecting the currently displayed frame image from among the plurality of frame images; displaying at least one of the frame images prior to the selected point in time having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold when the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the input exceeds a predetermined threshold or an alternative image display command is input; can include

In addition, based on the difference between the Nth frame image among the plurality of frame images and the N-1th frame image that is the immediately preceding frame image of the Nth frame image (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), the shaking degree of the Nth frame image is determined. obtaining; may further include.

In addition, the displaying of at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold may include displaying at least one of the frame images before the selected time point having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold in the selected frame image. Adjacent frame images may be displayed.

In addition, the step of displaying at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold includes a plurality of consecutive frame images having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold before the selected time point. When the time interval exceeds a predetermined threshold time, at least one frame image included in the time interval may be displayed.

In addition, the displaying of at least one of the frame images prior to the selected time point having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold may display a frame image having the lowest shaking degree among a plurality of frame images included in the time interval. there is.

In addition, the displaying of at least one of the frame images prior to the selected time point having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold may include a plurality of frames simultaneously displayed according to the shaking degree among a plurality of frame images included in the time interval. selecting an image; and simultaneously displaying the selected plurality of frame images. can include

Also, in the displaying of at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold, the degree of shaking of a plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously may be displayed together.

Also, receiving a command for selecting one of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously; may further include.

Also, when one of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously is selected by the input, enlarging and displaying the selected frame image; may further include.

Also, displaying information about the degree of shaking of the selected frame image when the degree of shaking of the selected frame image exceeds a predetermined threshold; may further include.

Also, if the degree of shaking of the selected frame image exceeds a predetermined threshold, outputting information about the degree of shaking of the selected frame image as a sound; may further include.

The sequential displaying of the plurality of frame images generated based on the ultrasound signal may include acquiring the ultrasound signal including information about the object in real time; generating the frame image in real time based on the ultrasound signal acquired in real time; and sequentially displaying the frame images generated in real time. can include

Also, storing at least one of the frame images generated in real time; may further include.

In the storing of at least one of the frame images generated in real time, a frame image having shaking less than or equal to the threshold may be stored among the frame images generated in real time.

According to one aspect of the ultrasound apparatus and its control method, a frame image with small shaking prior to a selected point in time may be provided to a user as a replacement image so as to replace a frame image with severe shaking selected by an input. As a result, it is possible to increase the accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis.

According to another aspect of the ultrasound apparatus and its control method, a plurality of frame images having less shaking than a frame image with severe shaking selected by an input are provided to a user as candidate replacement images, and a frame image to replace the frame image selected by the user is provided. You can enter a command to select. As a result, the user can directly select a frame image that is easy to diagnose from among a plurality of frame images.

1 is a perspective view of an ultrasound device according to an exemplary embodiment.
2 is a control block diagram of an ultrasound apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method of displaying a screen stop icon by a display according to an exemplary embodiment.
4 is a diagram illustrating a case in which shaking occurs in a frame image displayed on a display according to an exemplary embodiment when a selection command is input.
5 is a graph of shaking degree values with respect to time before a selection point in time according to an exemplary embodiment.
6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a method of displaying an alternative image on a display according to an exemplary embodiment.
7 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying candidate replacement images on a display according to an exemplary embodiment.
8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining a method of displaying a shaking degree value for a candidate replacement image on a display according to an exemplary embodiment.
9 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying a recommended alternative image on a display according to an exemplary embodiment.
10 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an ultrasonic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an ultrasonic device and a control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of an ultrasound device according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the ultrasound device according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the ultrasound apparatus may include a main body M and an ultrasound probe P.

The ultrasound probe P is a part that directly contacts the body surface of an object, and may collect echo ultrasound containing information about the object. To this end, the ultrasonic probe P may include a plurality of transducer elements capable of converting electrical signals into ultrasonic waves or, conversely, converting ultrasonic waves into electrical signals.

A plurality of transducer elements may be arranged on one side of the ultrasound probe P. A one-dimensional array of transducer elements on one surface of the ultrasonic probe P is referred to as a 1D array probe. 1D array probes include Linear Array Probes in which transducer elements are arranged in a straight line, Phased Array Probes, and Convex Array Probes in which transducer elements are arranged in a curved line. do.

In contrast, an ultrasound probe P in which transducer elements are arranged in two dimensions is referred to as a 2D array probe. In the 2D array probe, transducer elements may be arranged on a plane. Alternatively, the transducer elements may be arranged on one side of the 2D array probe 200 to form a curved surface.

The transducer element may generate ultrasonic waves by vibrating by a transmission signal provided from the body M. The ultrasound generated in this way may be irradiated into the object. Also, the transducer element may generate a received signal corresponding to the echo ultrasound by vibrating by the echo ultrasound reflected from a specific region inside the object. The received signal may be transmitted to the body M and used to generate an ultrasound image.

Hereinafter, a transmission signal received by the ultrasonic probe P and a reception signal generated by the ultrasonic probe P are collectively referred to as ultrasonic signals.

The ultrasonic probe P may collect echo ultrasonic waves in real time and generate ultrasonic signals at predetermined time intervals. The ultrasound signals generated at time intervals may serve as a basis for a frame image among ultrasound images.

The ultrasonic probe (P) may be provided to communicate with the main body (M) through the cable (5). To this end, one end of the cable 5 may be connected to the ultrasonic probe P, and the male connector 6 may be connected to the other end of the cable 5. The male connector 140 connected to the other end of the cable 5 may be physically coupled to the female connector 7 of the main body M, and as a result, the ultrasonic probe P may be connected to the main body M.

The ultrasonic probe (P) may transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in relation to the main body (M) through the cable (5). In addition, the ultrasonic probe P may be controlled by the main body M by receiving a control signal from the main body M through the cable 5.

Specifically, when a control signal corresponding to a control command input through the input unit 420 is generated in the body M, the ultrasonic probe P receives the control signal through the cable 5 to be controlled according to the control command. can For example, when a control command for setting the depth of focus of the irradiated ultrasound, the size or shape of the aperture of the ultrasound probe P, or the steering angle is input through the input unit 420, the main body M may generate a control signal corresponding to the control command. The control signal thus generated may be transmitted to the ultrasonic probe P through the cable 5 and used for beamforming.

Alternatively, unlike FIG. 1 , the ultrasonic probe P may be wirelessly connected to the main body M. In this case, the ultrasonic probe P may transmit and receive ultrasonic signals to and from the main body according to a wireless communication method.

The ultrasonic probe P may be connected to the main body M by adopting any one of known wireless communication methods. For example, the ultrasonic probe P is a wireless Internet method such as WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wifi, Wibro (Wireless Broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), or Bluetooth ( Bluetooth), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), infrared communication (Infrared Data Association: IrDA), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, etc. may be connected to the main body (M) through a short-range communication method.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body M includes a beamformer 100; image processing unit 200; control unit 300; storage unit 500; an input unit 420; display 410; And a speaker 420; may include.

The speaker 420 may notify the user of information about the state of the ultrasound apparatus 1 by outputting a predetermined sound. For example, the speaker 420 outputs information related to power of the ultrasound device 1, information related to image display of the ultrasound device 1, and information related to the ultrasound probe P of the ultrasound device 1 as sound. can do.

In addition, the speaker 420 may output a sound when shake occurs in the frame image currently selected by the user to inform the user, and may output a sound to notify when a frame image is displayed replacing the selected frame image where the shake occurs. . Details are described below.

The controller 300 may control overall operations of the ultrasound apparatus 1 . Specifically, the control unit 300 includes not only the beamformer 100 and the image processing unit 200 provided inside the main body M, but also an ultrasonic probe P connected to the main body M by wire or wirelessly, an input unit 420, and/or control the operation of the display 410 .

For example, the controller 300 may calculate a delay profile for a plurality of transducer elements and calculate a time delay value based on the delay profile. Using the calculated time delay value, the controller 300 may beamform the ultrasound signal by controlling the beamformer 100 . Also, the control unit 300 may control the ultrasound apparatus 1 by generating control signals for each component of the ultrasound apparatus 1 according to a user's control command input through the input unit 420 .

The beamformer 100 may beamform an ultrasonic signal so that the ultrasonic probe P may radiate ultrasonic waves or beamform an ultrasonic signal received from the ultrasonic probe P. Here, beamforming may refer to a method of delaying and aligning ultrasound irradiated to a specific point of the object ob or echo ultrasound reflected from the specific point. This is to compensate for a time difference between reaching a specific point of the object ob or when echo ultrasound reflected from the specific point reaches each of a plurality of transducer elements.

The beamformer 100 may adopt any one of known beamforming methods, or may be able to combine and apply a plurality of methods or selectively apply them.

The ultrasound echo signal beamformed by the beamformer 100 is transferred to the image processing unit 200 to be described later, and may be used to generate an ultrasound image.

The image processing unit 200 processes the ultrasound signal beamformed by the beamformer 100 to generate an ultrasound image of the object ob, and transmits the ultrasound image to the display 410 to provide the user with an anatomical view of the object ob. Information can be presented visually. To this end, the image processing device 200 may be implemented in the form of hardware such as a microprocessor, or may be implemented in the form of software that can be executed on hardware.

As described above, when the ultrasound probe P collects echo ultrasound waves in real time and generates ultrasound signals at predetermined time intervals, the image processing unit 200 performs frame images at predetermined time intervals based on the generated ultrasound signals. can create

The storage unit 500 may store ultrasound images generated by the image processing unit 200 . If the image processing unit 200 generates a plurality of frame images as ultrasound images, the storage unit 500 may sequentially or selectively store the plurality of frame images.

In addition, the storage unit 500 may store various information used for controlling the ultrasound apparatus 1 in advance. For example, the storage unit 500 may store information related to power control of the ultrasound apparatus 1 in advance, and may also store information used for transmission beamforming and/or reception beamforming in advance.

In addition, the storage unit 500 may pre-store filters and algorithms used to determine the degree of shaking of a frame image, and set a threshold value and a threshold time for determining whether an alternative frame image needs to be displayed in advance. can be saved

To this end, the storage unit 500 (300) is a memory type (flash memory type), hard disk type (hard disk type), multimedia card micro type (multimedia card micro type), card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM (Random Access Memory: RAM), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (ROM, Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) ), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk may be implemented through at least one type of storage medium.

The display 410 may be connected to the main body M and display an ultrasound image generated by the main body M. In this case, the ultrasound image displayed by the display 410 may be a still image at a specific point in time or a moving image composed of a plurality of frame images.

In addition, the display 410 may display applications related to the operation of the ultrasound apparatus 1 . For example, the display 410 may display menus or information necessary for ultrasound diagnosis.

The display 410 may include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electro-luminescence display (ELD), or a field emission display 410. (Field Emission Display; FED). It may be implemented as a plasma display 410 (Plasma Display), a thin film liquid crystal display 410 (TFT-LCD), or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the display 410 may not only display an ultrasound image in 2D, but may also be designed to allow a user to receive a 3D image. Specifically, the display 410 is designed to recognize different images for the user's left eye and right eye, so that the user can receive a 3D image according to binocular parallax.

In FIG. 1, the ultrasound apparatus 1 having one display 410 is illustrated. A plurality of displays 410 may be provided. In this case, images displayed on each of the plurality of displays 410 may be different from each other, or images displayed on at least two displays 410 may be the same.

The input unit 420 is connected to the main body M and is provided to receive commands related to the operation of the ultrasound apparatus 1 . For example, the input unit 420 may receive an ultrasound diagnosis start command or an ultrasound image mode selection command.

In FIG. 1, the case where the input unit 420 is connected to the main body M by wire is exemplified, but, unlike this, the input unit 420 may be implemented to transmit the input control command to the main body M through a wireless communication method.

The input unit 420 may include various means through which a user may input control commands, such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball, tablet, or touch screen module.

Meanwhile, as described above, the display 410 may sequentially display a plurality of frame images. At this time, the user may stop sequentially receiving a plurality of frame images and want to continuously receive one of the plurality of frame images.

To this end, the input unit 420 may receive a selection command for selecting one currently displayed frame image. When a user's selection command is input, the controller 300 controls the display 410 to stop sequentially displaying a plurality of frame images, so that the frame image displayed at the present time, that is, at the time when the selection command is input, continues. and can be provided to the user.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of displaying a screen stop icon by a display according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4 illustrates a case in which shaking occurs in a frame image displayed by a display according to an embodiment when a selection command is input. It is an illustrative drawing.

As described above, the display 410 may sequentially display a plurality of frame images. The user may obtain anatomical information of the inside of the object ob while visually checking sequentially displayed frame images.

The plurality of frame images displayed in this way may be generated in real time from ultrasonic signals acquired by the ultrasonic probe P in real time, or may be previously stored in the storage unit 500 and sequentially displayed through the display 410. there is.

Also, the display 410 may display a stop icon together with a frame image. The user may click the stop icon through the input unit 420. Clicking the stop icon may mean inputting a selection command for a frame image displayed at the time of clicking.

As a result, the display 410 may stop sequentially displaying a plurality of frame images and continue to display the frame image at the click time. Through this, the user can check the frame image displayed at a desired point in more detail.

Typically, a user may receive anatomical images of different objects ob in real time while moving the location of the ultrasound probe P while holding the ultrasound probe P with one hand. Through this, the user may perform ultrasound diagnosis on the object ob by visually checking organs or lesions inside the object ob.

At this time, when the frame image displayed on the display 410 includes an organ or lesion to be checked, the user fixes the position of the ultrasound probe P and then uses the other hand to input the frame currently displayed through the input unit 420. You can input a video selection command, that is, click the stop icon. As a result, since the display 410 continuously displays the selected frame image, the user can precisely diagnose the lesion or organ.

However, there may be a time difference between the time when the user visually confirms the desired frame image and the time when the selection command is input through the input unit 420, which may cause a problem.

The user can visually check the frame image U1 displayed in FIG. 3 and input a selection command for the frame image U1. Referring to FIG. 4 , the user may input a selection command by clicking the stop icon displayed on the display 410 using a cursor C. At this time, since the user manipulates the ultrasonic probe P and the input unit 420 using different hands, the position of the ultrasonic probe P may be moved when the input unit 420 is manipulated. As a result, the frame image U2 may be selected against the user's intention.

If the shape of the organ or lesion that the user wants to check is clearly shown in the frame images U1 and U2, there is no problem. However, as shown in FIG. 4 , when blur occurs in the frame image U2 , it may be difficult for the user to check the shape of a lesion or organ inside the object ob through the frame image U2 .

In order to solve this problem, the ultrasound apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may display an alternative image instead of the selected frame image when a frame image in which shaking occurs is selected instead of a frame image desired by a user.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the control unit 300 receives a plurality of frame images generated in real time by the image processing unit 200 or stored in advance in the storage unit 500, and acquires shaking of each frame image by digitizing it. can

The controller 300 may use the previous N-1th frame image to acquire the degree of shaking of the Nth frame image (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2). The controller 300 acquires an edge image of the Nth frame image using the N-1th frame image, and applies an edge filter to the obtained edge image to obtain a motion blur factor. can be obtained.

Specifically, the controller 300 may obtain an edge image of the Nth frame image, the pixel value of which is a difference between pixel values of the Nth frame image and the N−1th frame image. Next, the controller 300 may apply a 3X3 edge filter to each pixel of the edge image. The controller 300 may separately obtain the x-axis value and the y-axis value of each pixel by passing an edge filter through each pixel of the edge image.

At this time, the 3X3 edge filter used by the control unit 300 may adopt at least one of known edge filters, for example, Roberts Mask, Prewitt Mask, Sobel Mask, It may include a Chen-Frei mask and the like.

After acquiring the x-axis value and the y-axis value of each pixel, the controller 300 may obtain a filtered edge image of the Nth frame image by using them. Specifically, the controller 300 may obtain each pixel value of the filtered edge image according to Equation 1.

[Equation 1]

Here, G ^N (j,k) denotes pixel values in the j-th row and k-th column of the filtered edge image of the N-th frame image, and G _x (j,k) is the filtered edge image of the N-th frame image. It means the x-axis pixel value of the j-th row and k-th column of the image, and G _y (j,k) may mean the y-axis pixel value of the j-th row and k-th column of the filtered edge image of the N-th frame image. .

Finally, the control unit 300 may obtain a shaking degree value of the Nth frame image using these values. Specifically, the shaking degree value F of the Nth frame image may be calculated according to Equation 2.

[Equation 2]

Here, F ^N means the shaking degree value of the N-th frame image, and G ^N-1 (j,k) means the pixel value of the j-th row and k-th column of the filtered edge image of the N-1th frame image. and G ^N (j,k) may mean a pixel value of a j-th row and a k-th column of the filtered edge image of the N-th frame image.

Through the above process, the control unit 300 may quantify and acquire the degree of shaking of each of the plurality of frame images.

Also, if the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the user exceeds the threshold value, the controller 300 may display at least one of frame images having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold value and prior to the selected time point.

At this time, the threshold value of the degree of shaking may be determined by an internal calculation of the ultrasound apparatus 1 or may be directly input by a user through the input unit 420 .

5 is a graph of shaking degree values with respect to time before a selection point in time according to an exemplary embodiment.

According to the above-described process, the control unit 300 may pre-acquire shaking degree values for a displayed frame image and a previously displayed frame image. In addition, when a selection command for the displayed frame image is input from the user, it may be checked whether the degree of shaking of the frame image being displayed at the time of selection exceeds a threshold value.

Since the threshold value means the maximum shaking degree value for which ultrasound diagnosis is possible, if the shaking degree value of the selected image is less than or equal to the threshold value, the controller 300 may continue to display the selected image through the display 410 .

On the other hand, if the shaking degree value of the selected image exceeds the threshold value, the controller 300 may select a frame image to replace the selected image using the shaking degree value of each of a plurality of frame images prior to the selection time.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the controller 300 may check a time interval t _m in which a shaking degree value of a plurality of frame images before a selection point in time is equal to or less than a threshold value M _th . When the checked time interval t _m exceeds a predetermined threshold time t _th , the controller 300 may select at least one of a plurality of frame images belonging to the time interval t _m as a substitute image for the selected frame image.

The controller 300 according to an embodiment may select a frame image having the lowest shaking degree among a plurality of frame images belonging to the time interval t _m as a replacement image. The display 410 may provide an ultrasound image that meets the user's selection intention by displaying the selected frame image.

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a method of displaying an alternative image on a display according to an exemplary embodiment.

As described above, the user may input a selection command by clicking the stop icon displayed on the display 410 . FIG. 6A illustrates a case where the user tries to select a frame image without shaking, but the frame image U2 displayed at the time of inputting a selection command is selected.

The controller 300 may check the shaking degree value of the frame image U2 and, if the shaking degree value exceeds a threshold value, control the display 410 to display a motion occurrence notification icon I ₂ indicating that motion has occurred. there is.

Unlike FIG. 6A , the controller 300 may check the shaking degree value of the frame image U2 and, if the shaking degree value exceeds a threshold value, control the speaker 420 to output a sound indicating that motion has occurred.

After notifying the user that motion has occurred, the controller 300 may check whether a time section in which the degree of shaking is less than or equal to a threshold value exceeds a threshold time period among frame images before the selection time point. When the time section in which the shaking degree is less than or equal to the threshold value exceeds the threshold time period, the controller 300 may select a frame image having the lowest shaking degree in the corresponding time section.

Referring to FIG. 6B , the controller 300 may control the display 410 to display the frame image U1 having the lowest shaking degree in a corresponding time section. Through this, the user can be provided with an alternative image close to the shake-free frame image to be selected.

Also, the controller 300 may control the display 410 to display an alternative image display notification icon I3 indicating that an alternative image has been displayed instead of the selected image. Alternatively, the controller 300 may control the speaker 420 to output a sound indicating that an alternative image has been displayed instead of the selected image.

The controller 300 according to another embodiment may simultaneously display a predetermined number of frame images among a plurality of frame images belonging to the time interval t _m as candidate replacement images.

7 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying a candidate substitute image on a display according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining a method of displaying a shaking degree value for a candidate substitute image on a display according to an exemplary embodiment. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying a recommended alternative image on a display according to an exemplary embodiment.

When shaking occurs in the selected image, the controller 300 may control the display 410 to simultaneously display a predetermined number of frame images among a plurality of frame images prior to the selected point in time as candidate replacement images.

Specifically, the controller 300 may check whether a time section in which the shaking degree is less than or equal to a threshold value among the frame images before the selection time exceeds the threshold time period. When the time section in which the shaking degree is less than or equal to the threshold value exceeds the threshold time period, the controller 300 may select a predetermined number of frame images in order of decreasing shaking degree in the corresponding time section as candidate replacement images.

In the case of FIG. 7 , the controller 300 may select 6 frame images in the order of low shaking in the corresponding section as candidate replacement images U _C1 to U _C6 .

The input unit 420 may receive a command for selecting one of a plurality of candidate replacement images as a replacement image from the user. For example, the user may input a command for selecting an alternative image by moving the cursor through the input unit 420 and clicking one of a plurality of candidate alternative images.

Through this, the user can directly select an alternative image that is easy to diagnose.

Also, the controller 300 may control the display 410 to display the shaking degree value of each of the plurality of candidate replacement images together. FIG. 8A illustrates a case where the display 410 displays the shaking degree values of each of a plurality of candidate replacement images together in a bar shape (B), and FIG. An example is the case where the degree value is displayed together with a number (F).

Through this, the user can easily select an alternative image having a low shaking degree by visually checking the shaking degree value of each of the plurality of frame images displayed together on the screen.

Also, the controller 300 may recommend a candidate replacement image having the lowest shaking degree among a plurality of candidate replacement images as the replacement image. Referring to FIG. 9 , the display 410 may display a candidate replacement image U _C2 together with an indication R recommending selection as an alternative image.

Through this, the user can get help in selecting an alternative image having a low degree of shaking.

So far, when the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the user exceeds the threshold, the ultrasound apparatus actively displays at least one of the frame images prior to the selection time having the degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold. Alternatively, if an alternate image display command is input from the user after displaying the frame image selected by the user, the ultrasound apparatus may display at least one of the frame images prior to the selected point in time having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold value. there is.

10 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an ultrasonic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, the ultrasound apparatus 1 may sequentially display a plurality of frame images generated based on ultrasound signals (800). An ultrasonic signal may be converted in real time to obtain a plurality of frame images in real time, and the images may be sequentially displayed. Alternatively, the ultrasound apparatus 1 may store a plurality of frame images in advance and then sequentially display the stored plurality of frame images.

Then, the ultrasound apparatus 1 may check whether a command to select a frame image being displayed is input (810). Frame images of can be displayed sequentially.

On the other hand, if a command to select a frame image being displayed is input, the ultrasound apparatus 1 may calculate a shake degree value M of the selected image (820). It may be obtained by acquiring an edge image of the selected frame image using the difference and applying an edge filter to the obtained edge image.

After obtaining the shaking degree value M, the ultrasound apparatus 1 may check whether M exceeds a predetermined threshold value M _th (830 ₎ . can do.

In this case, the threshold value M _th may be determined by an internal operation of the ultrasound apparatus 1, or may be directly input by a user.

If the shaking degree value M of the selected frame image exceeds the threshold value M _th , the ultrasound apparatus 1 may display at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a shaking degree of less than or equal to the threshold value as a replacement image. (840) As a result, the user can perform more accurate ultrasound diagnosis by being provided with an image without shaking.

On the other hand, if the shaking degree value M of the selected frame image is less than or equal to the threshold value M _th , the ultrasound apparatus 1 may continue to display the selected image (850). because it has value.

1: ultrasonic device
P: ultrasonic probe
M: body
200: image processing unit
300: control unit
410: display
420: input unit
430: speaker
500: storage unit

Claims (28)

an image processor generating a plurality of frame images based on the ultrasound signal;
a display sequentially displaying the plurality of frame images;
an input unit that receives a command to select a frame image being displayed on the display from among the plurality of frame images; and
When the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the input exceeds a predetermined threshold or an alternative image display command is input, at least one of the frame images having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold before the selected point in time is displayed. a control unit for controlling; including,
The control unit,
The ultrasound apparatus controls the display to display a frame image closest to the selected frame image among frame images before the selected time point having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold value. According to claim 1,
The control unit,
Obtaining a degree of shaking of the N-th frame image based on a difference between an N-th frame image among the plurality of frame images and an N-1-th frame image that is an immediately preceding frame image of the N-th frame image (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) ultrasound device. delete an image processor generating a plurality of frame images based on the ultrasound signal;
a display sequentially displaying the plurality of frame images;
an input unit that receives a command to select a frame image being displayed on the display from among the plurality of frame images; and
When the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the input exceeds a predetermined threshold or an alternative image display command is input, at least one of the frame images having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold before the selected point in time is displayed. a control unit for controlling; including,
The control unit,
When a time interval including a plurality of consecutive frame images having shaking less than or equal to the threshold before the selected time exceeds a predetermined threshold time, the display displays at least one frame image included in the time interval. Ultrasonic device to control. According to claim 4,
The control unit,
The ultrasound apparatus controls the display to display a frame image having the lowest shaking degree among a plurality of frame images included in the time interval. According to claim 4,
The control unit,
The ultrasound apparatus controls the display to simultaneously display a plurality of frame images selected according to the shaking degree among a plurality of frame images included in the time interval. According to claim 6,
The display is
An ultrasound apparatus for displaying shaking degrees of the plurality of frame images simultaneously displayed. According to claim 6,
The input unit,
The ultrasound apparatus receives a command to select one of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously. According to claim 8,
The control unit,
When one of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously is selected by the input, the ultrasound apparatus controls the display to enlarge and display the selected frame image. According to claim 1,
The control unit,
Controlling the display to display information about the degree of shaking of the selected frame image when the degree of shaking of the selected frame image exceeds a predetermined threshold. According to claim 1,
a speaker outputting information related to the ultrasonic device as sound; Including more,
The control unit,
and controlling the speaker to output information about the degree of shaking of the selected frame image as a sound when the degree of shaking of the selected frame image exceeds a predetermined threshold. According to claim 1,
an ultrasound probe that acquires an ultrasound signal including information about an object in real time; Including more,
The image processing unit,
An ultrasound apparatus for generating the frame image in real time based on the ultrasound signal acquired in real time. According to claim 12,
a storage unit to store at least one of the frame images generated in real time; An ultrasonic device further comprising a. According to claim 13,
The control unit,
The ultrasound apparatus controls the storage unit to store a frame image having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold among the frame images generated in real time. sequentially displaying a plurality of frame images generated based on ultrasound signals;
receiving a command for selecting the currently displayed frame image from among the plurality of frame images;
displaying at least one of the frame images prior to the selected point in time having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold when the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the input exceeds a predetermined threshold or an alternative image display command is input; including,
The step of displaying at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold,
A method of controlling an ultrasound apparatus for displaying a frame image closest to the selected frame image among frame images before the selected time point having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold value. According to claim 15,
Obtaining a degree of shaking of the N-th frame image based on a difference between an N-th frame image among the plurality of frame images and an N-1-th frame image that is an immediately preceding frame image of the N-th frame image (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) step; A control method of an ultrasonic device further comprising a. delete sequentially displaying a plurality of frame images generated based on ultrasound signals;
receiving a command for selecting the currently displayed frame image from among the plurality of frame images;
displaying at least one of the frame images prior to the selected point in time having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold when the degree of shaking of the frame image selected by the input exceeds a predetermined threshold or an alternative image display command is input; including,
The step of displaying at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold,
If a time interval including a plurality of consecutive frame images having shaking less than or equal to the threshold before the selected time exceeds a predetermined threshold time, the ultrasound apparatus displays at least one frame image included in the time interval. control method. According to claim 18,
The step of displaying at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold,
A control method of an ultrasound apparatus for displaying a frame image having the lowest degree of shaking among a plurality of frame images included in the time interval. According to claim 18,
The step of displaying at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold,
simultaneously displaying a plurality of frame images selected according to the shaking degree among a plurality of frame images included in the time interval; Control method of an ultrasonic device comprising a. 21. The method of claim 20,
The step of displaying at least one of the frame images before the selected point in time having a shaking degree less than or equal to the threshold,
A control method of an ultrasonic apparatus for displaying the degree of shaking of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously. 21. The method of claim 20,
receiving a command for selecting one of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously; A control method of an ultrasonic device further comprising a. 23. The method of claim 22,
enlarging and displaying the selected frame image when one of the plurality of frame images displayed simultaneously is selected by the input; A control method of an ultrasonic device further comprising a. According to claim 15,
displaying information about the degree of shaking of the selected frame image when the degree of shaking of the selected frame image exceeds a predetermined threshold; A control method of an ultrasonic device further comprising a. According to claim 15,
outputting information about the degree of shaking of the selected frame image as a sound when the degree of shaking of the selected frame image exceeds a predetermined threshold; A control method of an ultrasonic device further comprising a. According to claim 15,
The step of sequentially displaying a plurality of frame images generated based on the ultrasound signal,
acquiring the ultrasound signal including information of the object in real time;
generating the frame image in real time based on the ultrasound signal obtained in real time; and
sequentially displaying the frame images generated in real time; Control method of an ultrasonic device comprising a. 27. The method of claim 26,
storing at least one of the frame images generated in real time; A control method of an ultrasonic device further comprising a. 28. The method of claim 27,
The step of storing at least one of the frame images generated in real time,
A method of controlling an ultrasound apparatus for storing a frame image having a degree of shaking less than or equal to the threshold among the frame images generated in real time.

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