JPH0363640A - Supporting device for radiograph information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a desired function speedily when initial adjustments are made at the time of installation or readjustments are made during use by connecting a supporting device for the radiograph processing system which is stored with a standard image previously to the radiograph information processing system and adjusting the system. CONSTITUTION:The image signal storage part 34 of the supporting device is stored with standard image information on the positions of a breast part, stomach bones, etc., which are photographed frequently. The device 30 is connected to a controller 16 and the standard image information is read out of the storage part 34 by operating a keyboard 38 to generate image information on image output devices 18 and 20. Then whether or not visualized images are normal or not is inspected and image processing parameters of the best gradation processing, frequency processing, etc., are set. Consequently, the initial adjustments at the time of installation or the readjustments in use made speedily to obtain the desired function.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a support device for a radiation image information processing system. In a radiation image information processing system that reads information, performs predetermined image processing on it, and displays it on film or CRT, etc., measures are taken to address changes in the function of the radiation image information processing system over time, i.e., to maintain functionality or to install the system. The present invention relates to a support device for a radiation image information processing system that is used for adjustment to obtain a predetermined function at a certain time.

[Background of the Invention] Recently, sheets having a layer consisting of a stimulable phosphor (hereinafter referred to as
The applicant has developed a radiation image information processing system that records/reproduces radiation images of a subject, such as a human body, using a stimulable phosphor sheet (or simply referred to as a sheet), and the system has been widely used, especially in the medical field. It's coming. Regarding the radiation image information processing system, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 55
-12429, 55-103472, 55
The present applicant has filed numerous patent applications, such as No. 116340 and No. 55-87970.

Here, stimulable phosphor refers to radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays,
When irradiated with γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc., a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and then irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, which produces a phosphor that emits stimulated light according to the accumulated energy. say.

The radiation image information processing system adopts the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the image information of a radiographic image of a human body, etc. is temporarily recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet.Hereafter, the image information is recorded on the sheet. >This stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with excitation light such as a laser beam to generate stimulated luminescence light, and the stimulated luminescence light obtained here is read using a photoelectric conversion means and converted into radiation. An information signal of a transmitted image (hereinafter simply referred to as an image signal) is derived. Then, after performing predetermined signal processing on this image signal, it is displayed as a visualized image on a recording medium such as a photographic light-sensitive material, or on a CRT or the like.

By the way, in order to maintain a good operating state in which image information is recorded on a sheet and then reproduced on a recording medium or a CRT device, etc., it is necessary to maintain the functionality of the radiation image information processing system. and require relatively precise adjustment of the operating conditions, especially during installation. This is due to the environmental conditions at the installation location, or the fact that suitable image quality conditions are required for visual analysis of recording media, CRT devices, etc. by the user of the radiation image information processing system.

Under the installation work system in this case, when installing the radiographic image information processing system, an image of an artificial human body with human bones, etc. Adjustments are being made. Furthermore, it is desired that such installation work be completed in a short period of time, and a large number of maintenance personnel are required. This requirement for quick installation work may lead to the inconvenience of increased economic burden.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, and includes adjustments by maintenance personnel to maintain desired functions in a radiation image information processing system, that is, initial adjustments at the time of installation. Alternatively, when performing readjustment during use, connect a support device for a radiation image information processing system in which a standard image is stored in advance to the radiation image information processing system, use the image obtained thereby as a visible standard image, and install it. environmental conditions at the location or the recording medium of the user of the radiation image information processing system;
Support for a radiographic image information processing system that enables the desired function of the radiographic image information processing system to be achieved as quickly as possible by adjusting the image quality to a suitable state in visual analysis work on a CRT device, etc. The purpose is to provide equipment.

[Means for Achieving the Object] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a radiation image information processing system that performs predetermined signal processing on a radiation image to obtain an image signal, and generates a visualized image from the image signal. A support device for a radiographic image information processing system that supplies a standard image signal to a radiographic image information processing system, the storage unit storing the standard image quality image signal at the time of initial adjustment at the time of installation or readjustment during use of the radiographic image information processing system. and image signal selection means for selectively reading out the image signals stored in the storage means at the time of the initial adjustment or readjustment; The radiation image information processing system is characterized by comprising: an image signal transmitting means for transmitting an image signal to the bottom of the bath; and a parameter setting means for setting an image processing parameter for the image signal in the radiation image information processing system.

[Embodiment] Next, one embodiment of the support device for a radiation image information processing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the support device for a radiation image information processing system according to this embodiment is connected.

The support device for the radiographic image information processing system has information that is recorded in advance on an optical disk device or the like that has a high frequency of imaging, for example.
Image information of parts such as the chest, scars, bones, etc. is stored.

First, a radiation image information processing system will be explained.

The radiographic image information processing system is an image reading system that uses a photoelectric conversion means to read a sheet (A) in which a radiographic image of a subject 12 obtained by an imaging device 10 is recorded and converts it into a digital signal and sends it out. a control device 16 that controls the image reading device 14 and performs image processing such as gradation processing and frequency processing on an image signal as a digital signal and sends out a signal; An image output device 18 that creates a visualized image on a certain film or the like, and a CRT that outputs the image signal.
It basically consists of an image output device 20 that is designed to be displayed on a screen such as a computer. Note that the imaging device 10 has
It has a radiation source 22 and transmits a radiographic image of the subject 12 to a sheet A.
It is stored and recorded.

Here, the image reading device 14, for example, irradiates the sheet A with excitation light such as a laser beam and converts the stimulated luminescence light generated from the sheet A into an image signal by a photomultiplier (not shown), and It includes a reed structure having a function of erasing image information by irradiating erasing light onto the sheet A from which the image signal has been read, thereby making the sheet A reusable. In addition, the image output device 18
1 irradiates a film such as a photosensitive material (not shown) with a laser beam or the like based on the image signal obtained from the image reading device 14, and develops the film to form a visualized image, and outputs the image. The device 20 displays the image signal for viewing on a CRT or the like.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the support device 30 according to this embodiment includes a control section 32, an image signal storage section 34 that records and holds image signals for four images, and a CRT that displays various image information. etc., and a keyboard 38 for performing various function settings and signal processing of the display unit 36.
It is roughly composed of.

FIG. 3 shows the details in block configuration.

The control section 82 and the image signal storage section 34 are connected to a control board 44 that constitutes the control device 16 shown in FIG. In this case, the CPtJ 46 that controls the operation of the control device 16 is removed from the control board 44 and installed inside the board of the control unit 32. The control unit 32 and the control board 44 are connected by a flexible cable Fc via a gate 49, and as will be described later, a pass line 80 connected between the control boards 44 transmits an image signal using a cable C+SC2. It is connected to the storage section 34. The maintenance operation of the control device 16 by the control unit 32 is controlled by a support CPU (hereinafter referred to as 5 CPU) 42 based on a support program stored in a ROM 40.

A pass line 45 is formed in the control unit 32, and a ROM 40 and an S CPU 42 are connected to the pass line 45, as well as a RAM 47 that holds support data, and a date and time, etc. are counted and added to the data. A timer calendar 48, an input/output interface 5I050 having an input/output signal discrimination function, and a logic circuit 52 are connected. In this case, a display unit 36 for displaying support data, setting data, etc. is connected to 31050 along with a keyboard 38 having a process changing function. Further, the logic circuit 52 is supplied with signals from a reset terminal and a power switch. Furthermore, pass line 45
Address counter 58, RAM (1) 60, RAM
(2) 62 and logic circuit 64 are connected to each other. The address counter 58 is connected to the S CPU 42 and the logic circuit 6.
The address of RAM (1) 60 is specified based on the command from 4. RAM(1) 60 is the controller 16 and C
It holds state data such as the processing address and instructions of the PU 46, and outputs the processing address to the comparator (1) 66.

The RAM (2) 62 holds, for example, a specific address, instructions, etc. of the image signal obtained by the control device 16, and is configured to output the specific address among these data to the comparator (1) 66. It is composed of The comparator (1) 66 compares the processing address and the specific address, and outputs the comparison result to the logic circuit 64. Based on the comparison result, the logic circuit 64 issues an operation stop command (WAIT signal) to the CPU 46 via the gate 49. >, and also outputs an interrupt command and support data from the SCP tJ42 to the CPU 46.

Furthermore, the pass line 45 is connected to an input/output interface P I 068 that performs a buffer operation, and an address drive 70, and are also connected so that output signals are sent to output terminals T and T2, respectively.

The image signal storage unit 34 includes REG (1) 82 connected to a path line 80 arranged between each control board in the control device 16 by cables C, C2, and a relatively large-capacity register. Image memory 84 with storage capacity
The image memory 84 has storage sections 84a to 84d divided into fixed address areas.

Further, an output signal from the output terminal T1 of the control unit 32 is input to the address decoder 86 via the input terminal T1'',
The first output signal of the address decoder 86 is REG(
2) Input to 88 and its output signal and RE
The output signals of G (1) 82 are respectively supplied to comparators (2) 90.

Output signal from comparator (2) 90 and address decoder 8
The second output signal of G and the signal from the output terminal Tt of the control section 32 are respectively input to the logic circuit 92 via the input terminal TI'. The logic circuit 92 stores the address of the image signal in the image memory 84, that is, the four storage units 84a to 84d.
The address counter 94 is connected to an address counter 94 for specifying and storing data in one of the storage units. Further, a third output signal of address decoder 86 is connected to be supplied to logic circuit 92 . 'Also, the address decoder 86
The fourth output signal and the signal from the input terminal Tl' are connected from the image memory 84 to a successive address counter 96 for reading out recorded image signals.

The support device for a radiation image information processing system according to this embodiment is basically configured as described above, and its operation and effects will be explained next.

First, the operation of the radiation image information processing system will be explained. In this case, when the subject 12 is irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray source 22 in the imaging device 10, the X-rays are transmitted through the subject 12, and the X-rays loaded in the imaging device 10)
Punish A with the radiographic image. Next, the sheet A on which the transmitted image has been accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor is sent to the image reading device 14.
and is converted into an image information signal as an electrical signal under the control of the control device 16.

That is, the image reading device 14 irradiates excitation light such as a laser beam in the main scanning direction onto the sheet A being conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and converts the stimulated luminescence light emitted from the sheet A into a photoelectric conversion means such as a photomultiplier. is used to read the image and convert it to a digital signal to obtain image information. The entire surface of the sheet A on which the image information has been read is irradiated with erasing light to erase the remaining radiation image information, and the image pickup device l
Provided for retake at O.

Next, the image information signal converted into an electric signal by the image reading device 14 is subjected to processing such as gradation processing and frequency processing as necessary by the control device 16, and then visualized by the image output device 18 or 20. Images are displayed to be punished and visible. In this case, the image output device 18
In this process, an image is formed by irradiating a laser beam modulated according to the image information in the main scanning direction onto a film as a photographic material that is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and then this film is subjected to a development process. is applied to obtain a visualized image. Further, in the image output device 20, a subject image corresponding to the image data is displayed on a screen such as a CRT.

Next, the operation when an error occurs, which is the basic operation of the support device, will be explained.

Here, if a failure occurs while the above-described radiation image information processing system is in use, the system performs predetermined error processing and then puts the system into a HALT state.

For example, in such a radiation image information processing system, frequency processing is performed on an image, and at that time, image data is divided by a predetermined coefficient. In this case, if the coefficient is not set or is 0, the division result will be infinite. Therefore, in this system, when such an error occurs, the processing program jumps to a specific address, the contents of the status register and control register at the time of the error are saved, and then the system is placed in a HALT state.

In this state, the user attempts a recovery operation by restarting the system, etc., and calls maintenance personnel if the system does not recover.

The maintenance person connects the control unit 32 of the support device 300 and each control board to the control device 16, as shown in FIG. 2, and also connects the path line 80 of the control device 16. That is, the maintenance person removes the CPU 46 from the control board 44 constituting the control device 16 and attaches the CPU 46 to the control section 32 constituting the support device 30 (see FIG. 2).

Then, the control unit 32 and the control board 44 are connected via the gate 49 with a flexible cable Fc or the like. Note that an image signal storage section 34 having a common path line with the control section 32 is connected to the control section 32 via terminals T, , T,' and T2, T, l. In addition, R of the image signal storage section 34
E G (1) 82 and image memory 84 are each connected to the pass line 80 of the control board 44 via a cable 01%C2.

Thereafter, the RAM (2) 62 of the control unit 32 is set with a failure address, which is the error processing address of the processing program when an error occurs, and an image transfer address corresponding to the start command address for executing image transfer. That is, the fault address and the image transfer address are displayed on a keyboard 38 equipped with a display section 36 such as a CRT connected to the control section 32.
is input using 1050 and loaded into RAM (2) 62.

Next, the user restarts the system after setting the failure address and image transfer address, and performs processing work by the system. In this case, the gate 49 is the logic circuit 64
Control device 16 and CPU 16 by a select signal from
Connect with. Further, the gate 49 controls the control device 16 and the CPU 46 from the RAM(1) 60 by a select signal.
and a comparator (1) 66.

Therefore, first, the operation of saving processing information when a failure occurs will be explained based on the setting of the failure address. C.P.
The processing information by U46 is sent to the control device 1 via the gate 49.
6, and predetermined operation control for the image reading device 14 and the like is executed. - On the other hand, the processing information is transferred to RAM (1) 60 and comparator (1) 66 via gate 49. In this case, RAM (1) 60 stores the processing information. Further, the comparator (1) 66 compares the address of the processing information with the failure address held in the RAM (2) 62.

On the other hand, the control device 16 transfers the control signal and address data signal to the CPU 46 via the gate 49. These signals are similarly transferred via gate 49 to RAM(1) 60 and comparator(1) 66. And the comparator (
1) 66 compares the address of the processing information in the control device 16 with the failure address held in the RAM (2) 62, as in the case described above.

Here, the comparator (1) 66 sequentially compares the processing address by the CPU 46, the address data signal from the control device i6, etc., and whether these match the faulty address set in advance in the RAM (2) 62 or within a range of predetermined conditions. When it is confirmed that the fault is within the range, a fault detection signal is output to the logic circuit 64. In this case, the logic circuit 64 is connected to the CPU via the gate 49.
It outputs a wait signal WAIT to the S CPU 46 and interrupts the S CPU 42 via the pass line 45. This puts the CPU 46 in a wait state. On the other hand, the S CPU 42 checks and stores processing information of the CPU 46 secured in the RAM (1) 60 based on an interrupt signal from the logic circuit 64. Next, when a jump instruction to a specific address, that is, an error handling instruction is found, a jump instruction is written to the RAM(1) 60, and the RAM specified by this jump instruction is written.
(1) Write a recovery program to avoid the error processing at address 60, and send it to address 60 via logic circuit 64
Release the wait state of PU46.

Next, the CPU 46 continues the processing operation by the control device 1G based on the recovery program secured in the RAM(1) 60. That is, the CPU 46 executes the recovery program in the RAM(1) 60 via the gate 49, and outputs a predetermined operation command to the control device 16 via the gate 49. In this case, the control device 16 continues operations such as image processing based on the recovery program secured in the RAM (1) 60. Further, the CPU 46 can display error messages etc. on the console of the control device 16 based on the recovery program set in the RAM (1) 60, and can suggest to the user how to handle the image in response to an error occurrence. becomes.

Next, a description will be given of the operation of storing transferred image information and, if there is an abnormal image, saving this.

Comparator (1) 66 compares the address of processing information by CPU 46 transferred via gate 49 and various information in control device 16 with the image transfer address held in RAM (2) 62.

Therefore, when the CPU 46 instructs the control device 16 to specify the processing address at the time of image transfer, the RAM
(2) Compare with 62 specific addresses.

In this case, since the specific address matches the processing address or is within the range of predetermined conditions, the comparator (1) 66
outputs a detection signal indicating image transfer to the logic circuit 64.

The logic circuit 64 provides the gate 49 to the CPU 46.
It outputs a WAIT signal via the CPU 46 to stop the operation of the CPU 46, and also interrupts the SCP U 42.

Next, the 5 CPU 42 checks the RAM (1) 60, identifies the transfer image size and address, and transfers the image to the control device 1.
The line size and line number transfer address are set for DMA 6. Furthermore, S CP U42 is PI
○ After clearing RE G (1) 82 via 68,
Enable it and set the end address in REG(2) 88. Also, the logic circuit 92 is enabled. Therefore, the S CPU 42 continues the process.

This activates the DMA and starts transferring the image signal.

Here, the RE G (1) 82 latches the address on the pass line 80 and compares it with the end address of the RE G (2) 88 by the comparator (2) 90. 84d The image signal on the bus line 80 is taken in. In addition, comparator (2) 90
If the addresses match, it sends a match signal to logic circuit 92, disables address counter 94, and stops writing. In this way, the image memory 8
4, and if the user detects an abnormal image, he or she instructs the user to apply a hold to that image via the keyboard 38, and sends the hold command to 5C.
PU42 receives it. Then, the S CPU 42 instructs the logic circuit 92 to write the address counter values to the storage units 84a to 8 of the image memory 84 based on the above.
Try to avoid addresses in 4d. When a maximum of four images are held in this way, subsequent accumulation will be stopped.

Note that the maintenance personnel must use the keyboard 38 to read out the processing information that led to the occurrence of the failure, which is stored in the RAM (1) 60.
Instruct it via the I○50 and save it to a floppy disk, etc. In addition, the image memory 8 of the image signal storage section 34
The CPU 42 issues an instruction to read the abnormal images stored in each of the storage units 84a to 84 (t) from the keyboard 38 via the SI○50.The CPU 42 then sets the address counter 96 for subsequent reading via the PIO 68. At the same time PI
The data is read in cycles via 068, and the abnormal image is reproduced by the image output device 18. Thereafter, maintenance personnel investigate the cause of the failure and take recovery measures based on the floppy disk and the reproduced images.

Next, a case will be described in which adjustments are made by maintenance personnel to maintain desired functions in the radiation image information processing system, that is, initial adjustments at the time of installation or readjustments during use.

First, at a service station or the like, a maintenance worker stores in advance in the image memory 84 standard image information of frequently photographed areas such as the chest, scars, bones, etc., which are recorded on an optical disk device or the like. In this case, an optical disk device, a ROM writer, etc. are used to store the image memory 84.
The required standard image information is stored in the storage units 84a to 84d. Such standard image information is stored in a plurality of image memories 8.
4, it becomes possible to use a wide variety of standard image information. Note that the storage method in a ROM writer and the like is well known, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Next, the maintenance worker asks the control unit 16 of the control unit 3 of the support device 30 to
The image signal storage section 34 is connected to the pass line 80 of the control device 16 between the control board 2 and each control board. Based on the standard image information, a standard image in the installed state or location is formed. Here, first, based on an instruction from the keyboard 38, a signal for reading standard image information from the storage sections 84a to 84d of the image memory 84 in which predetermined parts are stored is sent via the pass line 45 and the PI○68. The data is sent to the address decoder 86 and address counter 96.

The image memory 84 stores designated storage units 84a to 84.
From d, for example, the standard image information of the chest stored in the storage section 84a is sent to the control device i6 via the gate 49.

Furthermore, the maintenance personnel forms image information on the image output devices 18 and 20 using the display unit 36 and the keyboard 38,
A comparative study is performed here, and image processing parameters, for example, parameters related to gradation processing, frequency processing, etc., are set.

In this case, the maintenance personnel sets standard values when parameters are not set in advance, such as during installation, and sets these values as they are when readjusting, when parameters have already been set.

Therefore, the CPU 46 performs image processing on the standard image signal based on parameters set by the maintenance personnel, and outputs a visualized image via the image output device 18 or 20. In this case, the maintenance staff examines the quality of the visualized image together with the doctor, etc., and depending on the results of the examination, sets other image processing parameters again using the keyboard 38,
An image processed using these parameters is output. Then, by repeating the above-mentioned examination work, it is possible to set optimal image processing parameters.

In addition, by setting parameters using a standard image in this way, preferred parameters for each region can be grasped using an overall unified image, making the task of setting parameters easier and faster.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, adjustments by maintenance personnel to maintain the function of a radiation image information processing system due to changes over time, i.e., initial adjustments at the time of installation or during use. In re-adjusting the
A support device for a radiation image processing system in which standard image information is stored in advance is connected to the radiation image information processing system,
The image obtained by this is used as a visualization standard image to adjust the image quality to be suitable for the environmental conditions at the installation location or for visual analysis work on the recording medium or CRT device of the user of the radiation image information processing system. As a result, precise adjustments can be made without requiring an artificial human body, etc. for the adjustment, and furthermore, rapid installation work can be performed without requiring a large number of maintenance personnel. The desired functions of the radiation image information processing system can be achieved as quickly as possible, and the adjustment work can be made as economically as possible.

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

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a support device for a radiation image information processing system according to the present invention together with a radiation image information processing system to which it is applied; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the radiation image information shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the support device for the radiation image information processing system shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 10... Imaging device 12... Subject 14.
...Image reading device 16...Control device 18.20
...Image output device 30...Support device 32 for radiation image information processing system
...control section 34...image signal storage section 3
6...Display section 38...Keyboard 42
... S CPU 44 ... Control board 4
6...CPU 84...Image memory A...Sheet with stimulable phosphor

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A support device for a radiation image information processing system that performs predetermined signal processing on a radiation image to obtain an image signal and supplies a standard image signal to a radiation image information processing system that forms a visualized image from the image signal. a storage means for storing standard-definition image signals at the time of initial adjustment at the time of installation of the radiation image information processing system or readjustment during use; and an image stored in the storage means at the time of the initial adjustment or readjustment. image signal selection means for selectively reading out signals; image signal transmission means for transmitting image signals stored in the storage means to form the visualized image in the radiation image information processing system; and the radiation image information processing system. 1. A support device for a radiographic image information processing system, comprising: parameter setting means for setting image processing parameters for an image signal.