US 4,449,199 A · Ultrasound scan conversion and memory system

Abstract

Imaging information characterizable as a pixel grid or matrix of 256 image columns and 512 image rows is supplied by a scanning transducer means delivering a series of ray lines of information where each ray corresponds to an image column. The incoming pixels of the rays are converted into digitized data words, and stored for scan conversion by being routed, in simultaneous blocks of eight words, to a respective one of eight different page memories, in accordance with an image memory organization scheme assigning a different page routing number to each pixel of a block for the entire image matrix, to enable parallel memory access for both input and output operations. The first page for the first pixel of each incoming ray is determined by logic which subtracts the ray or column number from eight, modulo 8. Subsequent pages are generated by incrementing repetitively within the range 0, 1, 2 . . . for each subsequent incoming pixel, after being set to said first page number. Each page is associated with a corresponding element of an input buffer, to receive the corresponding pixel for each incoming column block. All elements of the full buffer are dumped in parallel to the eight page memories simultaneously. This occurs repetitively for all blocks of each ray/column until each pixel of a frame is stored at an individually separate page address determined by simple arithmetical logic. For output, the page memories are read out in rows, in simultaneous parallel row blocks of eight, one block element from each page, to an output buffer having an element connected to each page, with the page address for each pixel of a row block determined by a simple arithmetical operation. The output buffer elements are fed serially to a video display subsystem in an order determined by the page routing numbers of the rows of the image memory organization scheme. Simple circuitry determines the order of buffer element readout, with the first page/buffer element number being simply the number of the image row being read out, (Modulo 8), and subsequent page/buffer element numbers of that row being generated incrementing repetitively within the range 0, 7, 6 . . . 1, after being set to said row first page number. Such readout in successive rows of course effects conversion to a conventional video format for display.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A memory arrangement for storing a two-dimensional array of M image memory columns and N image memory rows of data words and enabling parallel access for both said columns and said rows, wherein the improvement comprises:

X page memories comprising said memory arrangement, each page having a page number associated therewith and storing m page columns and n page rows of data words, wherein
m=M/X and n=N
where X is an integer greater than 1
first means for providing a plurality of repetitive first blocks each comprising X data words corresponding to X successive data words along an image memory column,
second means coupled to said first means for selecting one of said page numbers and respective page row and column for each of said data words in each of said first blocks whereby each data word in a block is associated with a respective different page memory, and is associated with one of said page columns on its corresponding page according to its image memory column whereby the page column changes every X image columns, and wherein the page row of each data word is determined by adding the page number of the data word modulo X to the image column, said second means including means for causing each of said data words in said first blocks to be stored in the respective selected row and column of the respective selected page memory, and
means for reading second blocks from said page memories, said second blocks each comprising X data words corresponding to X successive data words along an image memory row, by accessing a particular page column and row of each of said plurality of page memories.

3 more elements

A data word organized memory system for storing an image array of data words arranged in M image memory columns and N image memory rows and enabling parallel access for both said columns and said rows in a single memory cycle, the system comprising:

ultrasound transducer means for providing an analog signal representative of a plurality of echo imaging rays,
convertor means for converting said analog signal into a plurality of data words, each image array column of data words representing one of said rays,
a plurality of page memories having a page number associated therewith,
incoming data routing means connected to said page memories and said convertor means for subtracting from X the column number in which the data word is arranged, modulo X, where X is an integer greater than 1, to determine the page number of the first data word of the incoming column,
selection means coupled to said incoming data routing means for selecting the page number for subsequent data words,
input buffer means comprising a plurality of first storage locations each of which is connected to a corresponding page memory, said input buffer means storing one incoming data word in each of said first storage locations corresponding to the page memory determined by said data routing means and said selection means, whereby when said first storage locations are loaded, the data words stored therein are deposited simultaneously into the page memories,
means for determining an exact page row and column address for each incoming data word simultaneously with the storage of said data words connected to said input buffer means, and connected to each of said page memories,
output buffer means comprising a plurality of second storage locations each of which is connected to a corresponding page memory, said output buffer means storing data words in each of said second storage locations received from the corresponding page memory,
output data routing means connected to said page memories and said second storage locations for selecting the page memory from which one of said data words is selected to be loaded into a corresponding second storage location, said data routing means retrieving the data words from adjacent column locations in the image array simultaneously,
whereby while some of said data words representative of echo imaging rays are stored others of said data words are being retrieved simultaneously, enabling parallel access of said system for input and output of the image array.

7 more elements

System for storing and retrieving a two-dimensional array of pixels of M rows and N columns in input blocks, each block comprising a plurality X of pixels, and enabling retrieval of said pixels in output blocks of a plurality X of pixels, comprising:

means for delivering lines of pixels to be stored and for associating each of said lines of pixels sequentially with one of said array columns;
a plurality X of page memories, each having m rows and n columns where
m=(M/X) and n=N
where X is an even integer greater than 1;
means for storing each of said input pixels on a corresponding one of said page memories, comprising:
first multiplexer means for directing each of an input block X of pixels from said means for delivering to a different one of said page memories in sequence, repetitively for said entire incoming line;
subtractor means connected to said first multiplexer means and said page memories for determining which one of said X page memories the first pixel of the first incoming one of said lines is directed, said subtractor means including means for subtracting from the number of the array column the number X of pixels in an input block, to arrive at a number representing said one page memory;
and means connected to said subtractor means and said page memories for determining the page address within the page to which each pixel is assigned, comprising:
means, coupled to said means for delivering lines of pixels, for providing a signal upon the arrival of the last input line in a unit of X input lines, and thereupon in response to saod sognal activating a subsequent column of said page memories to receive subsequent pixels,
and means for determining the page row address for each incoming pixel including means for adding to the page number for the pixel the column or ray number of the pixel modulo X, to arrive at a number representing said page row address:
means for retrieving connected to said page memories each of said input pixels from one of said page memories, comprising:
second multiplexer means for directing each of a block X of outgoing pixels from a different one of said page memories in sequence, repetitively for an entire outgoing line;
means for determining an exact page address for an entire outgoing line,
whereby while each incoming pixel within an input block is directed to a different page memory, and thereby parallel access by blocks is provided for input operations, each outgoing pixel within an output block is retrieved from a different page memory thereby providing parallel access by blocks for output operations.

11 more elements

Apparatus for storing and retrieving data words each corresponding to one of the pixels of a two-dimensional row and column array of image information, and acquired in successive ones of said columns, said apparatus storing and retrieving said data words in parallel blocks, each of a plurality X of data words of said image row or said image column wherein X is an integer greater than 1, and comprising:

ultrasound transducer means for providing an analog signal representative of a plurality of successively numbered echo imaging rays,
convertor means for converting said analog signal into a plurality of data words, each image array column of data words representing one of said rays,
a plurality X of page memories, each storing a like fraction of the total of said data words in a plurality of page rows and column arrays of data word storage locations;
means for repetitively accepting the incoming data words of successive ones of said column blocks from said convertor means, and storing each data word of one of said blocks in a different page simultaneously, comprising:
calculating means connected between said accepting means and said page memories for subtracting from X the number of the ray/column modulo X, to determine the page number of the first pixel of an incoming ray,
counter means connected to said calculating means for repetitively incrementing with the range 0, 1, 2 . . . (X-1) from said first ray pixel page, to determine the page number indicating the page on which to store said first pixel, and
input buffer means having elements each identified with a respective one of said page memories, for accepting incoming data words in the order determined by said calculating and counter means, and for inputting an entire block of said data words into said page memories simultaneously;
and
means for repetitively reading out successive rows of said page memories in simultaneous row blocks of data words, comprising:
output buffer means having elements each identified with a respective one of said page memories, for accepting a data word/pixel from each of the page rows simultaneously, and
control means connected between output buffer means and said page memories for repetitively incrementing over the range 0, (X-1), (X-2), . . . 1, to generate the page number controlling the output order for said buffer elements;
whereby a two-dimensional array of image pixels which is inputted in columns is stored in simultaneous parallel column blocks of a plurality of data words on a different page memory for each word of the block, and which is then readout in rows and in simultaneous parallel row blocks.

9 more elements

A method of storing and retrieving digital data words in blocks of a plurality X of data words by parallel accessing a plurality X of page memories, where the data words are arranged in rows and columns comprising a memory array of information, and said memory array comprises first blocks comprising X data words of either a row or column and second blocks comprising X data words of the remaining one thereof, wherein X is an integer greater than 1, said method comprising the steps of:

repetitively accepting incoming data words comprising successive ones of said first blocks by temporarily retaining each word of said first block in a respective element of a buffer, and associating each element of said buffer with a respective one of said page memories;
storing, for each of said first blocks in turn, each data word thereof simultaneously, and on a different respective page memory by determining the page for storing of the first data word of a first block by subtracting from X the number of the first row or column to which said block pertains modulo X, and
determining the page memory for storage of the data words of said block by selecting a page number from the set 0, 1, . . . (X-1) wherein each data word of a block is associated with a respective different page memory;
repetitively retrieving from said page memories for output a plurality X of output data words simultaneously, each said retrieved plurality comprising one of said second blocks, each of each words of said retrieved plurality being from a respective different page by selecting the page number from the set (0, X-1, X-2, . . . 1);
whereby for both input and output of data words, accessing said memories in simultaneous blocks is effected.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ultrasound scan conversion and memory system

Life of this patent

Ultrasound scan conversion and memory system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30