JPH113435A - Three-dimensional image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accelerate three-dimensional image structure processing in a three- dimensional image processing system which organizes a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional plane from plural arranged tomographic images. SOLUTION: Plural computers are provided through a network 10, one of which is a master computer and the others are slave computers. The master computer 1 performs each processing such as selection of plural tomographic images to be used, setting of various parameters and distribution of a selected tomographic image to the slave computers and also performs synthetic processing of partial three-dimensional images which are organized by the slave computers and performs three-dimensional image display after synthetic processing. The slave computers 21 to 2N perform structure processing of a partial three-dimensional image from plural tomographic images and various parameters which are distributed from the computer 1 and also returns the partial three-dimensional image to the computer 1 after it is processed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image processing system for constructing a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional plane from a plurality of arranged tomographic images, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional image processing system connected via a network. The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image processing system that speeds up three-dimensional image formation processing by performing distributed processing by a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional three-dimensional image processing system for constructing a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional plane from a plurality of tomographic images is used to select a plurality of tomographic images to be used, set viewpoint coordinates, line-of-sight directions, and the like.
All processes, such as the configuration of a three-dimensional image, were executed by one computer.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional system, all the processes are executed by one computer, so that there is a problem that the process takes a long time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional image processing system capable of speeding up three-dimensional image construction processing and quickly obtaining a three-dimensional image.

[0005]

An object of the present invention is to provide a computer system comprising a plurality of computers connected via a network, one of which is a main computer and the remaining computers are slave computers. The main computer is configured by a sub-computer while performing at least the processing of selecting a plurality of tomographic images to be used, setting various parameters, and distributing the selected tomographic image to the sub-computer when constructing the three-dimensional image. The sub-computer performs the composing process of the partial 3D image and the 3D image display after the compositing process. The slave computer constructs and processes the partial 3D image from the plurality of tomographic images and various parameters distributed from the main computer, and also processes the partial 3D image. This is achieved by sending a three-dimensional image back to the main computer.

According to the above-described means, the three-dimensional image forming process is performed in a distributed manner by the slave computer. Therefore, the speed of the three-dimensional image forming process is increased, and the three-dimensional image is obtained quickly.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a three-dimensional image processing system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a network, and reference numerals 21 to 2N denote computers connected via the network 10. In the computers 1, 21 to 2N, the computer 1 is a main computer, and the computers 21 to 2N are slave computers.

The main computer 1 selects a plurality of tomographic images 8 to be used and sets and selects parameters such as viewpoint coordinates and line-of-sight directions when constructing a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional plane using a plurality of arranged tomographic images. Performs each process of distributing the obtained tomographic image to the slave computers 21 to 2N, and performs partial three-dimensional images 91 to 9 configured by the slave computers 21 to 2N
This is to display the three-dimensional image 9 after the N combination processing and the combination processing. Here, the tomographic images to be distributed to the slave computers 21 to 2N are usually each part obtained by dividing the plurality of tomographic images 8 into N equal parts. In the computers 21 to 2N, only the respective parts obtained by dividing the N equally may be processed. The sub-computers 21 to 2N generate a partial three-dimensional image 9 from the plurality of tomographic images 8 and parameters distributed from the main computer 1.
1 to 9N, and returns the processed partial three-dimensional images 91 to 9N to the main computer 1.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a CPU, 4 denotes a magnetic disk, 5 denotes a mouse, 6 denotes a joystick, and 7 denotes a CRT monitor.
Although not shown, each of the computers 1, 21 to 2N also includes a memory, a bus, an execution program for each process, and the like.

Next, the operation of the system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, the processing operation of the main computer 1 will be described. First, at step 20, a list of patient IDs is displayed on the CRT monitor 7, and one of them is specified to specify a tomographic image. Here, the user selects which tomographic image is used for forming the three-dimensional image. The tomographic image was recorded on the magnetic disk 4.
Is stored in

In steps 21 and 22, the selected tomographic image 8, an instruction as to which part (part) of the image is to be subjected to a three-dimensional image calculation (construction), and parameters indicating the set viewpoint coordinates and line of sight are set to N units. To the slave computers 21 to 2N. The ratio of the partial three-dimensional image formed by each of the slave computers 21 to 2N to the entire three-dimensional image is usually equalized by each of the slave computers 21 to 2N, but depends on the performance and load of each of the slave computers 21 to 2N. May be.

In step 23, the slave computers 21 to 21
Since the 2N shares the three-dimensional image, it waits for the completion of the calculation (configuration) from each of the slave computers 21 to 2N. In step 24, partial three-dimensional images (partial 3D images) 91 to 9N are received from the slave computers 21 to 2N. In step 25, the partial three-dimensional images 91 to 9N are
The three-dimensional images 9 are synthesized.

In step 26, the synthesized three-dimensional image 9 is displayed on the CRT monitor 7 and stored on the magnetic disk 4. In step 27, each slave computer 21-2N is notified that it is ready to send the next processing command. In step 28, it is determined whether or not the operator of the main computer 1 has input a viewpoint update using the mouse 5 or the joystick 6.

In steps 29 and 30, when the viewpoint is updated in step 28, the new viewpoint coordinates and the parameters representing the new line-of-sight direction are distributed to the slave computers 21 to 2N. If necessary, each sub-computer 2 gives an instruction on which part (part) of the image is to be subjected to three-dimensional image calculation (construction).
1 to 2N. In step 31, step 28
When the input of the viewpoint is not performed in step 2, a process end command is sent to each of the slave computers 21 to 2N.

Next, the processing operation of the computers 21 to 2N will be described. First, at step 32, the process waits for the notification at step 21. In step 33, the tomographic image 8, an instruction as to which part (part) of the image is to be subjected to the three-dimensional image calculation (construction), and the set viewpoint coordinates and parameters representing the line of sight are received. In step 34, the partial three-dimensional images 91 to 9N are calculated according to the processing command. In step 35, the main computer 1 is notified of the end of the calculation. In step 36, the calculated partial three-dimensional images 91 to 9N are transmitted to the main computer 1.

In step 37, the next processing command from the main computer 1 is waited for. In step 38, the next processing command from the main computer 1 is received. In step 39, the received processing command is analyzed and determined. If the received command is a processing end command, the processing is terminated.

In step 40, parameters representing a new viewpoint coordinate and a new line-of-sight direction are received from the main computer 1.
If necessary, an instruction as to which part (part) of the image is to be subjected to three-dimensional image calculation (construction) is also received. Then, step 3
The process jumps to step 4, and the processing operations of steps 34 to 39 are repeated.
In the above-described processing operation, communication between the main computer 1 and the slave computers 21 to 2N is performed via the network 10.

In the above embodiment, the main computer 1
Does not perform the operation (configuration) of the partial three-dimensional image, but the main computer 1 may have the function of the slave computer, and may perform the operation of the partial three-dimensional image. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of slave computers share each part of one three-dimensional image and perform calculations. However, if it is desired to calculate a plurality of three-dimensional images, the plurality of slave computers use a plurality of slave computers. The function may be extended so that one three-dimensional image can be calculated for each.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the three-dimensional image forming process can be speeded up and a three-dimensional image can be obtained quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 network 1 main computer 21-2N slave computer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A three-dimensional image processing system for forming a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional plane from a plurality of arranged tomographic images, comprising: a plurality of computers connected via a network; When the three computers are the main computer and the remaining computers are the slave computers, the main computer selects at least a plurality of tomographic images to be used, sets various parameters, and sets the selected tomographic images when constructing the three-dimensional image. Performs each process of distribution to the slave computer, performs synthesis processing of the partial three-dimensional image formed by the slave computer, and displays the three-dimensional image after the synthesis processing. A partial 3D image is constructed and processed from the image and various parameters, and the processed partial 3D image is A three-dimensional image processing system characterized by sending a reply to a computer.