JPH087079A - Method and device for management of picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize a picture managing method and a picture managing device in which a resource to execute the preservation of a picture can efficiently be used by estimating the more correct number of picture-free sheets. CONSTITUTION:This method and this device are characterized by being provided with a storage means 2a which can preserve plural pictures, and a picture managing means 2b which gives the storage means 2a the instruction of the preservation or the erasure of the picture, and simultaneously, calculates the estimated value of capacity per one sheet of the picture preserved before at prescribed timing, and calcualtes the number of the picture-free sheets by using the calculated estimated value of the capacity per one sheet of the picture and present free capacity.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image management method and an image management apparatus when saving an image, and more particularly to an image management method and an image management apparatus suitable for efficiently saving an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An auxiliary storage device such as a magnetic disk device may be used to store an image obtained from an image generating device such as an image diagnostic device. Although this type of auxiliary storage device is configured to be able to store many images, many images are output from the image diagnostic device, and therefore, the number of images available for free space (hereinafter, It is necessary to manage whether there is an empty image number) and display it on the display. For such a purpose, an image management device that manages the number of empty images is used together with the auxiliary storage device.

In this type of system, an image obtained from an image generating device is compressed to generate a compressed image, which is stored in an auxiliary storage device. In a general image management device, a fixed compression rate is used to assume an image size per image, and the number of empty images is calculated from the image size and the number of images. For example, v
And the free space of the auxiliary storage device is V and the image size calculated using a fixed compression rate is S, v = (V /
S) is required. Then, v is increased or decreased each time an image is saved and deleted.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned compression rate differs depending on the type of image, and naturally the image size S also differs.

In addition, a specific number of pixels (for example, 512 × 5)
The image size S is assumed based on an image of 12 pixels), but an image smaller than this may be handled in some cases. Therefore, even though the auxiliary storage device actually has a free space, it may be displayed that there is no free space, which causes a problem that resources such as a disk cannot be effectively used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to estimate a more accurate number of free images, thereby making it possible to efficiently use resources for saving images. A method and an image management device.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first means for solving the above problems is to calculate an estimated value of the capacity of one image already stored at a predetermined timing and estimate the calculated capacity. This is an image management method for calculating the number of free images by using the value and the current free space.

A second means for solving the above-mentioned problems is a storage means capable of storing a plurality of images, an instruction to store or delete the images to the storage means, and one of the already stored images. An image including image management means for calculating an estimated value of the capacity per sheet at a predetermined timing, and using the calculated estimated value of the capacity per image and the current free capacity to calculate the number of free images It is a management device.

A third means for solving the above problems is a storage means capable of storing a plurality of images, an instruction to store or delete the images to the storage means, and one of the already stored images. The estimated value of the capacity per sheet is calculated when the image is saved and stored as statistical information, and the calculated image 1
The image management apparatus includes an image management unit that calculates the number of empty images when deleting images by using the estimated value of the capacity per sheet and the current available capacity.

A fourth means for solving the above problems is a storage means capable of storing a plurality of images, an instruction to store or delete the image to the storage means, and a storage capacity of a certain image sample. Where x is the total number of saved images, and n is the total number of saved images, it is assumed that the variation in the capacity of each image that has already been saved follows a normal distribution. When the interval is estimated with a certainty of%, and the Student's t distribution is t and the function for obtaining the upper limit of the capacity is f, f = (Σx /
n) + t√ (Σx ² / n- (Σx / n) ² ) / √ (n-
The upper limit value f of the capacity obtained by the estimation process of 1) is the current S
If smaller, S = min (S, f (Σx, Σx ² ,
n, μ)), whichever is smaller, S is updated to store the statistical information of the capacity S at the time of image saving, and the stored image 1
The image management device includes an image management unit that calculates the number v of free images by using the estimated value S of the capacity per sheet and the current free space V at the time of erasing an image.

[0011]

In the image management method as the first means for solving the problem, the estimated value of the capacity of one image already stored is calculated at a predetermined timing, and the estimated value of the calculated capacity and the current value are calculated. And the free space of are used to calculate the number of free images. As a result, it becomes possible to more accurately estimate the number of free images and the resources can be efficiently used.

In the image management apparatus which is the second means for solving the problem, when the image is stored or erased, the estimated value of the capacity of each image already stored is calculated, and the calculated capacity is calculated. The estimated number and the current free space are used to calculate the number of free images. As a result, it becomes possible to more accurately estimate the number of free images and the resources can be efficiently used.

In the image management apparatus which is the third means for solving the problem, the estimated value of the capacity of each image already stored is calculated at the time of saving the image, and the calculated estimated value of the capacity is calculated. And the current free space are used to calculate the number of free images, when the image is deleted. As a result, it becomes possible to more accurately estimate the number of free images and the resources can be efficiently used.

In the image management apparatus which is the fourth means for solving the problem, the estimated value S of the capacity of one image already stored is calculated using Student's t distribution, and the calculated capacity S is calculated. When the estimated value S is smaller than the capacity up to that time, it is updated and stored when the image is saved, and the estimated value S of the stored capacity and the current free space V are used to determine the number of free images v of the image. It is calculated when erasing. As a result, it becomes possible to more accurately estimate the number v of free images, and the resources can be efficiently used.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an image management method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of an image management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of the image management apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The image generating apparatus 1 is for acquiring a desired image of a subject by an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging apparatus), a CT scanner, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, or the like and generating an image, and is composed of a scanner or the like. The image management device 2 is for temporarily storing an image obtained from the image generation device 1, and includes an auxiliary storage device 2a that constitutes a storage unit such as a magnetic disk device or a magneto-optical disk device, and a storage device. At this time, the image management unit 2b is included in the image management unit that performs various management. The image processing unit 3 performs predetermined image processing on the stored image to generate a desired display image. The image management unit 2b is configured to include software, hardware, and firmware such as a computer device or a processing processor in which an image management program described below is installed.

The operation and the image management method of the image management apparatus thus configured will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. First, the image management device 2 performs initial setting at the start of operation such as system startup (step in FIG. 1). That is,
The image management unit 2b uses the image size S as an initial value and sets the total sum Σx of the sizes of the stored images obtained based on the size x of the stored image sample to 0, and the sum of squares Σx ² of the sizes of the stored images. Is set to 0, the total number n of saved images is set to 0, the actual free space is set to V, and the current number v of free image images is set to V / S.

If the image from the image generator 1 is to be saved, the image is saved in the auxiliary storage device 2a according to an instruction from the image management unit 2b (step in FIG. 1).

When the image storage is completed, the image management unit 2b executes the estimation process of the image size S (step in FIG. 1). First, by saving one image,
Let x + x, Σx ² be Σx ² + x ^2, and v be v−1. Further, assuming that the variation in the size of each image follows a normal distribution, the section is estimated with a certainty of μ%, and if the upper limit of the size obtained by this estimation process is smaller than the current S, S To be updated. This S
Can be expressed by the following equation. S = min (S, f (Σx, Σx ² , n, μ)) where f is a function for obtaining the upper limit value, and f = (Σx / n) + t√ (Σx ² / n− (Σx / n)
² ) / √ (n−1) In general, the value of t in this equation is “Student (St
It is determined by n and μ according to a t-distribution called “t-distribution of the present)”.

Then, the number v of free images is displayed (step in FIG. 1), and the state returns to the save waiting state (step in FIG. 1).
The system control unit (not shown) monitors the number v of free images, and controls the operation of the apparatus according to the number of free images.

When there is an image erasing instruction (step in FIG. 1), the instructed image in the auxiliary storage device 2a is erased according to an instruction from the image management section 2b (step in FIG. 1).

Then, using S and the current free space V of the auxiliary storage device 2b obtained by the above estimation process,
The number v of free images is calculated from V / S (step in FIG. 1).

In general, image erasing often involves erasing a plurality of images at once, so the free space V changes greatly. Therefore, by performing the image vacant number correction at the time of erasing the image in this way, it becomes possible to obtain an accurate image vacant number v thereafter.

Then, the number v of empty images is displayed (step in FIG. 1), and the state returns to the save waiting state (step in FIG. 1).
As described above, the estimated value of the size of one image is stored as statistical information by using the total size of the images stored in the auxiliary storage device or the total number of images at regular timings such as when storing images, I will update it. Then, at the time of image deletion or the like, the number of free images is calculated using the statistical information and the actual free space up to that point. By doing so, the number of empty images is corrected periodically, so that it is possible to more accurately estimate and display the number of empty images. Therefore, it is possible to realize an image management method and an image management device that can efficiently use resources such as a disk in the auxiliary storage device 2a that stores images by estimating the number of free images more accurately. it can.

It is also possible to calculate the number of free images by using the statistical information and the actual free space up to that point at a regular timing other than when the images are erased.
For example, it is effective when the image is not erased for a certain time or longer.

As described in detail above, the estimated value of the capacity of one image already stored is calculated at a predetermined timing, and the estimated value of the calculated capacity and the current free capacity are used. According to the image management method of calculating the number of free images, when the image is saved or deleted, the estimated value of the capacity of one already saved image is calculated, and the estimated value of the calculated capacity and the current value are calculated. Since the number of free images is calculated by using the free space of, the resources for saving images can be efficiently used.

Further, a storage means capable of storing a plurality of images and an instruction to store or delete the image are given to the storage means, and the estimated value of the capacity of each image already stored is set to a predetermined value. According to the image management apparatus including the image management means for calculating the number of free images, which is calculated at the timing and uses the calculated estimated value of the capacity per image and the current free space, At the time of erasing, the estimated value of the capacity of one image already stored is calculated, and the estimated value of the calculated capacity and the current free capacity are used to calculate the number of free images, It becomes possible to efficiently use resources for storing images.

Then, a storage means capable of storing a plurality of images and an instruction to store or delete the image are given to the storage means, and the estimated value of the capacity of each image already stored is stored as the image. An image management apparatus including an image management unit which is calculated at some time and stored as statistical information, and uses the calculated estimated value of the capacity per image and the current free space to calculate the number of empty images at the time of image deletion. According to
An estimated value of the capacity of one image that has already been saved is calculated when the image is saved, and the estimated value of the calculated capacity and the current free space are used to determine the number of free images to erase the image. Since it is calculated at this time, it is possible to efficiently use the resource for saving the image.

Further, a storage means capable of storing a plurality of images and an instruction to store or delete the image are given to the storage means, and the storage capacity of a certain image sample is set to x, and the total number of stored images is set to n. In the case of the estimated value S of the capacity of one image already stored, it is assumed that the variation in the capacity of one image of the image follows a normal distribution, and section estimation is performed with a certainty of μ%. When the Student t distribution is t and the function for obtaining the upper limit value of the capacity is f, f = (Σx / n) + t√ (Σx ² / n−
The upper limit value f of the capacity is obtained by the estimation process of (Σx / n) ² ) / √ (n−1), and S = min (S, f (Σx, Σx
² , n, μ)), whichever is smaller, updates S to store the statistical information of the capacity S at the time of image saving, and stores the estimated value S of the capacity per stored image and the current free capacity V. According to the image management apparatus provided with the image management means for calculating the number v of empty images by using the image management method, the estimated value S of the capacity of one image already stored uses the Student's t distribution. If the estimated value S of the calculated capacity is smaller than the capacity up to that time, it is updated and stored when the image is saved, and the estimated value S of the stored capacity and the current free space V are used. Thus, the number v of empty images is calculated when the image is erased. As a result, it becomes possible to more accurately estimate the number v of free images, and the resources can be efficiently used.

[0030]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
At a predetermined timing, an estimated value of the capacity of one image already stored is calculated at a predetermined timing, and the number of free images is calculated using the calculated estimated value of the capacity and the current free space. Thus, when saving or erasing an image, the estimated value of the capacity of one image that has already been saved is calculated, and the estimated value of the calculated capacity and the current free space are used to free the image. Since the number of sheets is calculated, it is possible to realize an image management method and an image management apparatus that can efficiently use resources for storing images.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an image management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an image management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Generation Device 2 Image Management Device 2a Auxiliary Storage Device 2b Image Management Unit 3 Image Processing Unit

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An estimated value of the capacity of one image already stored at a predetermined timing is calculated, and the number of empty images is calculated using the calculated estimated value of the capacity and the current available capacity. An image management method characterized by the above. 2. A storage unit capable of storing a plurality of images, an instruction to store or delete the image given to the storage unit, and an estimated value of the capacity of each image already stored is set to a predetermined value. An image management apparatus comprising: an image management unit that calculates the number of free images, which is calculated at a timing and uses the calculated estimated value of the capacity per image and the current free space. 3. A storage unit capable of storing a plurality of images, an instruction to store or delete the image to the storage unit, and an estimated value of the capacity of each image that has already been stored as an image storage. Image management means for calculating the number of free images at the time of image deletion using the calculated estimated value of the capacity per image and the current free space. Image management device. 4. A storage means capable of storing a plurality of images, an instruction to store or delete the image to the storage means, and a storage capacity of a certain image sample is x, and a total number of stored images is n. In the case of the estimated value S of the capacity of one image already stored, it is assumed that the variation of the capacity of one image follows a normal distribution,
When the interval is estimated with a certainty of μ%, the Student's t distribution is t, and the function for obtaining the upper limit value of the capacity is f, f = (Σx / n) + t√ (Σx ² / n− (Σx / N)
² ) / √ (n-1) is used to determine the upper limit value f of the capacity, and S is updated by S = min (S, f (Σx, Σx ² , n, μ)), whichever is smaller. An image management unit that stores the statistical information of the capacity S at the time of saving the image, and uses the stored estimated value S of the capacity per image and the current free capacity V to calculate the number of empty images v at the time of erasing the image. An image management device provided with.