US 4,833,625 AGranted

Image viewing station for picture archiving and communications systems (PACS)

AssigneeUniversity of Arizona

InventorsHenry D. Fisher, Kevin M. McNeil, Richard Vercillo, Richard D. Lamoreaux

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An image reviewing station for a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), having two functions of user interface and display of an image wherein base memory, image processor, and display memory architecture is used. The digitized image data at any size from any different modalities is stored in base memory in an original format, and read-out signals are processed appropriately in the image processor responsive to the command signals input by the user. The processed image data is then stored in a display memory before being supplied to a display via a digital-to-analog converter for the display. It provides the user with extensive, concise and easy interactive image manipulation and processing capabilities.

Claims65

Dependent claims

An image viewing system comprising:

first memory for storing raw image data corresponding to plural images to be displayed;
image processing means coupled to said memory means for performing predetermined processing operations on said raw image data and for providing corresponding display data, said image processing means including,
zoom means responsive to said stored raw image data for obtaining values of estimated image data at points along a line between said data by a fractional bilinear interpolating between the values of said raw image data to produce selectably continuous magnification or minification of the image;
second memory means coupled to said image processing means for storing the display data processed by said image processing means;
user input means for generating input signals indicative of selected images and image formats to be viewed;
display means coupled to said second memory means for displaying images based on the display signals stored in said second memory means;
and
control processing means connected through an internal bus to said first memory means, image processing means, and second memory means for producing control signals responsive to said input signals from said user input means for controlling transfer of raw image data corresponding to selected images to be displayed from the first memory means to the image processing means, processing thereof by said image processing means, storage of the processed display signals into the second memory means, and transfer of the stored display signals to said display means for display of the user selected image.

5 more elements

An image viewing system, comprising:

first memory means for storing raw image data corresponding to a plurality of images to be displayed;
image processing means coupled to said first memory means for reading raw image data corresponding to selected of the images from said first memory means and performing selected processing operations on said raw image data to produce corresponding display data, said image processing means comprising zoom means for performing a fractional bilinear interpolation between values of image data representative of an image to produce selectably continuous magnification of minification of the image;
second memory means coupled to said image processing means for storing the display data;
display means coupled to said second memory means for displaying images and graphics represented by the display data;
user input means for generation input signals selecting particular images to be displayed by said display means and for selecting the processing operations to be performed by said image processing means;
control processing means coupled through an internal bus to said first memory means, said image processing means and said second memory means for producing control signals in response to said input signals for controlling transfer of raw image data corresponding to selected images to be displayed from the first memory means to the image processing means, processing thereof by said image processing means, storage of the processed display signals into the second memory means, and transfer of the stored display signals to said display means for display of the user selected image.

3 more elements

An image viewing system, comprising:

first memory means for storing raw image data corresponding to a plurality of images to be displayed;
image processing means coupled to said first memory means for reading raw image data corresponding to selected of the image from said first memory means and performing selected processing operations on said raw image data to produce corresponding display data;
second memory means coupled to said image processing means for storing the display data;
display means coupled to said second memory means for displaying images and graphics represented by the display data;
user input means for generating input signals selecting particular images to be displayed by said display means and for selecting the processing operations to be performed by said image processing means, comprising
a touch screen command video monitor for displaying a command menu and for producing input signals indicative of a user's touching of selected commands displayed on said touch screen command video monitor;
and
control processing means coupled through an internal bus to said first memory means, said image processing means and said second memory means for producing control signals in response to said input signals for controlling transfer of raw image data corresponding to selected images to be displayed from the first memory means to the image processing means, processing thereof by said image processing means, storage of the processed display signals into the second memory means, and transfer of the stored display signals to said display means for display of the user selected image.

5 more elements

An image viewing system, comprising:

first memory means for storing raw image data corresponding to a plurality of images to be displayed;
image processing means coupled to said first memory means for reading raw image data corresponding to selected of the images from said first memory means and performing selected processing operations on said raw image data to produce corresponding display data;
second memory means coupled to said image processing means for storing the display data;
display means coupled to said second memory means for displaying images represented by the display data;
said image processing means comprises means for normalizing the dynamic range of said raw image data of different images having different dynamic ranges to enable at least partially non-overlapping simultaneous display by said display means of said different images with a common dynamic range;
user input means for generating input signals selecting particular images to be displayed by said display means and for selecting the processing operations to be performed by said image processing means;
control processing means coupled through an internal bus to said first memory means, said image processing means and said second memory means for producing control signals in response to said input signals for controlling transfer of raw image data corresponding to selected images to be displayed from the first memory means to the image processing means, processing thereof by said image processing means, storage of the processed display signals into the second memory means, and transfer of the stored display signals to said display means for display of the user selected image.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/883,731Filed 9 Jul 1986
Granted: 23 May 1989
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H04N 1/32491
Using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter: alternate storage in and retrieval from two parallel memories, e.g. using ping-pong buffers
H04N 1/2179
For mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems: interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries
H04N 1/32358
Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g.…
H04N 1/3935
Enlarging or reducing: with modification of image resolution, i.e. determining the values of picture elements at new relative positions