probe device, server configured for an ultrasound diagnostic system, system for diagnosing an ultras

专利摘要:
probe device, server configured for an ultrasound diagnostic system, system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, and method for processing an ultrasonic image through a system. It is a probe device, a server, a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, and a method for processing an ultrasonic image. The system includes: a probe device to transmit an echo signal received from a transducer to a server, a server to run an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application. ultrasonic image data is generated using the echo signal received from the probe device; and an electronic device including a display unit for receiving and displaying ultrasonic image data generated by the server's ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application.
公开号:BR102013001092A2
申请号:R102013001092
申请日:2013-01-16
公开日:2018-10-30
发明作者:Eum Jae-Young；Cho Jeong
申请人:Samsung Electronics Co Ltd；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

(54) Title: PROBE DEVICE, CONFIGURED SERVER FOR AN ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE, AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE THROUGH A SYSTEM (51) Int. Cl. A: 61 G01N 29/24 (30) Unionist Priority: 17/01/2012 KR 102012-0005275 (73) Holder (s): SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
(72) Inventor (s): JAE-YOUNG EUM; JEONG CHO (85) National Phase Start Date:
16/01/2013 (57) Abstract: PROBE DEVICE, CONFIGURED SERVER FOR AN ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSISING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE, AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE THROUGH A SYSTEM. It is a probe device, a server, a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, and a method for processing an ultrasonic image. The system includes: a probe device to transmit an echo signal received from a transducer to a server, a server to run an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application. Ultrasonic image data is generated, using the echo signal received from the probe device; and an electronic device including a display unit for receiving and displaying the ultrasonic image data generated by the server's ultrasonic diagnostic application.
1/42
PROBE DEVICE, CONFIGURED SERVER FOR AN ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSISING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE, AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE THROUGH A SYSTEM
History of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a probe device, a server, a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, and a method for processing an ultrasonic image. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device, probe server, a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, and a method for processing an ultrasonic image, all of which are based on cloud computing connected to a network.
2. Description of the Related Art [0002] Ultrasonic waves are sound waves in a frequency domain larger than an audible frequency domain (audible frequencies usually ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz). Thus, ultrasonic waves cannot be heard by people. A typical system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image transmits an ultrasonic signal from a transmission point outside the body, which penetrates the tissues or organs of a human body, through the human body as a medium, and obtains an image of the tissues or organs , using information about the ultrasonic signal reflected from the tissues or organs in the human body.
[0003] Such ultrasonic imaging systems are usually small, inexpensive, and display the image in real time. In addition, since the system has a high stability, it has already
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2/42 that is not exposed to X-rays or the like, the system can be used extensively with other diagnostic imaging devices, such as an X-ray diagnostic device, a computed tomography (CT) scanner, a device magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a diagnostic device in nuclear medicine.
[0004] The ultrasonic system can comprise a cart type or a portable ultrasonic type (HCU). Due to its large size, it is more difficult to use a cart type system than an HCU type in emergency situations, or in ordinary homes. In the meantime, an HCU type system may be easier to use in emergency situations, etc., than the cart type, because the HCU type is manufactured, using a transducer or an apparatus to process ultrasonic image information in a format of portable terminal. However, the quality of an ultrasonic image of the HCU-type system suffers, in particular, when compared to cart-type systems, mainly due to the limitation in the size of a portable terminal and restrictions on energy use, since the portable terminal uses rechargeable batteries.
Summary of the Invention [0005] The present invention provides a probe device, a server, a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, and a method for processing an ultrasonic image. The present invention overcomes limitations in terms of fineness, compactness, and manufacturing costs are considerably reduced. Devices for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to the method, system and apparatus, according to the present invention, cause the
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3/42 need to be thin and compact to increase the portability of the device, however, they solve the problems of such compactness, fineness, and manufacturing costs, which until then have prohibited the development of such a high performance processing device, which process a high resolution image signal, or perform various functions of the device.
[0006] In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a probe device is provided, preferably including: a pulse generator including a pulsator, which generates a pulse signal; a transducer, which converts the pulse signal generated by the pulse generator into ultrasonic waves, and converts received ultrasonic waves into an electrical signal; an analog signal processor, which generates an echo signal using the electrical signal converted by the transducer; and a probe communicator, which communicates over a network with a server, which runs an ultrasonic diagnostic diagnostic application requested by an electronic device, and transmits the echo signal generated by the analog signal processor to the server.
[0007] The probe device may preferably also include a coupling unit, which performs a process of synchronization (coupling) of the probe device with the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application executed by the server.
[0008] The pulse generator may preferably also include a transmitter beam former that concentrates ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer.
[0009] The analog signal processor may preferably include: an amplifier, which amplifies the
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4/42 electrical signal converted by the transducer; and an analog / digital converter (A / D), which converts the electrical signal amplified by the amplifier into a digital echo signal.
[00010] The analog signal processor may preferably also include a receiver beam former, which concentrates the digital echo signal converted by the A / D converter.
[00011] The analog signal processor may preferably also include a compressor, which compresses a data size of the digital echo signal converted by the A / D converter.
[00012] The probe communicator may preferably include at least one of a mobile communication module, which connects directly to the network, a wireless Internet module, a wired Internet module, and an area communication module local, or it can include a communication interface connected to the network through an external communication module.
[00013] The probe device may preferably also include a user input unit, which receives input from a user.
[00014] According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a server is provided, preferably including: a server communicator, which communicates with a probe device and an electronic device via a network; a data storage unit, which stores an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application; and an operating unit, which runs the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, when the electronic device requests the execution of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, in which the operating unit generates ultrasonic image data
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5/42 using an echo signal transmitted from the electronic device, and transmits the generated ultrasonic image data to the electronic device.
[00015] According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image is provided, the system preferably including: a probe device, which transmits an echo signal received from a transducer to a server over a network; a server, which runs an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, in which ultrasonic image data is generated using the echo signal received from the probe device; and an electronic device, including a display unit, that receives over a network and displays the ultrasonic image data generated by the server's ultrasonic diagnostic application.
[00016] The server's ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can preferably perform a transmitter beam forming process to concentrate ultrasonic waves emitted from the transducer.
[00017] The server's ultrasonic diagnostic application can perform a receiver beam forming process, which concentrates the digital echo signal converted by the A / D converter. The degree of concentration can be, according to a predetermined algorithm, which determines the concentration of the digital echo signal.
[00018] The probe device can include a communication module connected directly to the network, or it can connect directly to the network. Here, the communication module can be embedded in, or removable from, the probe device.
[00019] Alternatively, the probe device can be connected
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6/42 to the network through the electronic device, being connected to the wireless electronic device or by means of wire. For example, the probe device may include a communication interface attached to a mobile device, to connect to the wireless mobile device, or via wire, and the mobile device can connect to the network, so that the probe to connect indirectly to the network.
[00020] The display unit of the electronic device can display a user interface of the ultrasonic diagnostic diagnostic application executed by the server. [00021] The probe device can be controllable by the electronic device.
[00022] An ultrasonic imaging mode of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can be selected via the electronic device.
[00023] In addition, the electronic device may preferably include a first electronic device and a second electronic device, which receives and displays, respectively, ultrasonic image data generated by the server's ultrasonic diagnostic application. The ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application run by the server can be controlled by any of the first and second electronic devices. Alternatively, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application run by the server can be controlled by both the first and second electronic devices. The ultrasonic imaging data, or the user interface of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, displayed on the first electronic device, can be manipulated by the second electronic device connected through the server. For example, the first device
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The electronic 7/42 can be operated by a user on site, such as an emergency rescuer or a self-diagnostic user, located adjacent to the probe device, and the second electronic device can be operated by an image diagnostic expert remotely located far away the probe device, such as in a hospital. Here, the server's ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can be run via the first electronic device, and the second electronic device can receive and display ultrasonic image data generated by the server's ultrasonic diagnostic application. It is also possible that the invention can operate on a peer-to-peer basis with a second electronic device associated with trained medical specialists, a hospital or medical center, and that the second electronic device may have more processing capacity, compared to the first device. Of course, an ultrasonic imaging mode of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application run on the server can be selected via the second electronic device. [00024] The electronic device may comprise a mobile terminal connected to a wireless network, or a desktop connected to a wired or wireless network. The mobile terminal can be a cell phone, a smartphone, a touch pad, a laptop, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, a personal tablet computer (PC), or a remote controller.
[00025] The server can perform a user authentication process on the electronic device.
[00026] According to another exemplary aspect of
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In the present invention, a method for processing an ultrasonic image is provided, the method preferably including: transmitting a request to run an ultrasonic diagnostic diagnostic application from an electronic device to a server, via a network; execution of the ultrasound imaging diagnostic application, using the server, according to the order of the electronic device; generation of an echo signal using the probe device; transmitting the echo signal generated by the probe device to the server; generation of ultrasonic image data using the server, using the received echo signal; and displaying an ultrasonic image on the electronic device, by receiving the ultrasonic image data from the server, over the network.
[00027] The method may also preferably include synchronization of the probe device with the diagnostic application of ultrasonic imaging performed by the server. [00028] The echo signal generator can include: conversion of ultrasonic waves, received from a material to be examined, into an electrical signal; and converting the electrical signal into a digital echo signal.
[00029] Echo signal generation may further include compressing a data size of the digital echo signal. [00030] A beam-forming process of the transmitter to concentrate ultrasonic waves emitted from a probe device transducer can be performed on the probe device. A beam-forming process of the receiver to concentrate ultrasonic waves emitted from a probe device transducer can be performed by the server's ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application.
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9/42 [00031] The method may also preferably include the display of a user interface of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, executed by the server and sent to the electronic device, on the electronic device.
[00032] The probe device can be controllable by the electronic device.
[00033] An ultrasonic imaging mode of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can be selected via the electronic device.
[00034] The method may preferably also include performing user authentication on the electronic device, when the electronic device connects to the server, or when the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application is run by a server operating unit.
[00035] The method may also preferably include when the electronic device, which transmitted the request to run the diagnostic application for ultrasonic imaging to the server, is a first electronic device, the preparation of a second electronic device to display the image by receiving ultrasound image data from the server. The server can transmit the ultrasonic image data to the second electronic device, according to a request from the first or second electronic device. The method may also preferably include performing user authentication on the second electronic device, when the second electronic device connects to the server or the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application.
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10/42 [00036] The ultrasonic diagnostic diagnostic application run by the server can be controlled by any of the first and second electronic devices. The ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application run by the server can be controlled by both the first and second electronic devices.
[00037] The ultrasonic image, or the user interface of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application displayed on the first electronic device, can be manipulated by the second electronic device connected through the server. The ultrasonic image or user interface of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application displayed on the second electronic device can be manipulated by the first electronic device connected through the server.
Brief Description of the Drawings [00038] The above exemplary features and advantages and more of the invention currently claimed will become more evident to a person with current knowledge in the art, through the detailed description of their exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings , on what:
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a probe device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a server, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
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11/42 to FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an example of a user interface displayed on the electronic device of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart for describing operations of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a probe device, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a probe device, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a probe device, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a diagram of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart, illustrating a method for processing an ultrasonic image, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a diagram of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 13 is a diagram of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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12/42
Detailed Description of the Invention [00039] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. In the drawings, similar reference numbers indicate similar elements, and the sizes and thicknesses of the elements can be exaggerated for clarity. As used herein, the term and / or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated items mentioned. Expressions, like at least one of the, when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements, and do not modify the individual elements of the list. The examples presented here are merely illustrative, to help a person with current knowledge of the art to understand and understand the claimed invention, and the appended claims are in no way limited to the examples provided here.
[00040] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[00041] Referring now to FIG. 1, the system may preferably include a probe device 100 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a server 300 for running an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, to generate an ultrasonic image, using echo data received by probe device 100 , and an electronic device 500 to provide a user interface for the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application running on server 300. There may be one or more electronic devices 500.
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13/42 [00042] The probe device 100, which can optionally be part of a wireless terminal 95, such as a mobile communication terminal, and the server 300 transmit and receive data through a first network 200. In addition, the server 300 and the electronic device 500 transmit and receive data over a second network 400. The first and second networks may include an Internet network, a mobile communication network, or the like.
[00043] The first and second networks 200 and 400 can be the same, or different types of networks, according to the usage specifications. For example, the second network can be 802.11, Wi-Fi, or WLAN, with the server installed, for example, at a medical center. While it is preferable and understood, that cloud computing is used, it is also within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, that the electronic device 500 can be connected to the second server via wire, such as Ethernet. A person of ordinary skill in the art should understand and realize that the claimed invention may include the use of a proxy server, in communication with server 300.
[00044] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the probe device 100, according to the current exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[00045] Referring now to FIG. 2, the probe device 100 preferably includes a transducer 110, a pulse generator 120, an analog signal processor 130, a coupling unit 140, and a probe communicator 150.
[00046] Transducer 110 preferably includes a plurality of conversion elements, which converts and transmits a pulse signal generated by pulse generator 120 into waves
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14/42 ultrasonic waves, and converts reflected ultrasonic waves into an analog echo signal, that is, an electronic signal. The conversion elements can be formed by a piezoelectric material, and can have a one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) arrangement structure. Transducer 110 generates ultrasonic waves, upon receiving a high voltage electrical pulse from pulse generator 120, and converts reflected ultrasonic waves from inside a person's body, to be examined, back into an analog electrical signal (signal analog echo).
[00047] Pulse generator 120 includes a pulsator 121, to generate a high voltage electrical pulse signal.
[00048] Analog signal processor 130 generates a digital echo signal (echo data), using the analog echo signal converted by transducer 110. Analog signal processor 130 may preferably include an amplifier 131, amplifying the analog echo signal converted by transducer 110, and an analog / digital (A / D) converter 132 converting the analog echo signal into a digital format. [00049] Amplifier 131 may preferably include, for example, a low noise amplifier (LNA) for satisfactory sensitivity, or a depth gain compensator (TGC) to adjust a gain, according to the time to compensate for the attenuation of the signal, which increased during passage through a human body.
[00050] In addition to the elements shown in fig. 2, the probe device 100 may further include various elements, such as a battery, a high voltage multiplexer (HVMUX), an LNA, and a transmit / receive switch (T / R), which are well known to a person skilled in the art. common in art.
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15/42 [00051] The coupling unit 140 can perform a process of synchronizing the probe device 100 to the ultrasonic diagnostic diagnostic application executed on the server 300, through the first network 200. For example, the synchronization of the probe device to the Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging application comprises coupling unit 140 storing identification information from probe device 100 and thus, when probe communicator 150 connects to server 300, identification information from probe device 100 is transmitted to the server 300, so that the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application running on server 300 identifies probe device 100.
[00052] The probe communicator 150 may include at least one from a mobile communication module, a wireless Internet module, and a local area communication module. The mobile communication module transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one from a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network, such as 2G, 3G or 4G. The probe communicator 150 is expected to be compatible with all future wireless network protocols, in addition to those previously listed. The internal wireless module is a module for connecting to a wireless Internet. The local area communication module is a local communication module, and allows at least one wireless communication method between the IEEE 802.11 standard of a wireless network over a wireless local area network (LAN) suggested by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and a wireless LAN, including partial communication of infrared rays, the IEEE 802.15 standard over a wireless personal area network (PAN), including Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband
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16/42 (UWB), and Zigbee, the 802.16 standard over a metropolitan network (MAN) or wireless broadband access (BWA), including fixed wireless access (FWA), and the IEEE 802.20 standard over BWA mobile Internet (MBWA), including Wibro and WiMAX. The probe communicator 150 may further include a wired Internet module for wired Internet access, to communicate with the server 300 via wire, according to user environments. The probe communicator 150 communicates with the server 300, using at least one of the mobile communication module, the wired Internet module, the wireless Internet module, and the local area communication module, and then the probe device 100 communicates with the server 300, without repeating a detailed communication method, such as the various communication protocols referred to above.
[00053] A person of ordinary skill in the art must understand and realize, that probe device 100 and server 300 can communicate with each other, over the first network 200. For example, the first network 200 can perform a retransmission function for connecting communication with a plurality of external devices, or it can include a relay device (not shown), which performs a relay function for connecting communication between a peripheral device and an external communication network (or a network). The relay device can perform a function of changing a protocol, if a communication protocol of the probe device 100, which constitutes a relay destination, and a communication protocol of the server 300, are different from each other. The relay device can be an access point, a portal, an extension point, a router, or a combination of these, or a proxy. In
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Alternatively, probe device 100 can be connected directly to server 300, via an ad hoc method or a direct Wi-Fi (WFD) method, without the use of a relay device.
[00054] The probe communicator 150 transmits the echo data processed by the analog signal processor 130 to the server 300 through the first network 200, and receives control data from the probe, to control the probe device 100 back from the server 300.
[00055] The probe device 100 described above may comprise a wireless handheld device for communicating with the server 300, by connecting to the first network 200 wirelessly.
[00056] The probe communicator 150, according to the current embodiment, includes a communication module, such as a mobile communication module, a wired Internet module, a wireless Internet module, or a communication module local area communication, but probe communicator 150 is not limited to these options. In other words, the probe communicator 150 can only include a general purpose communication interface (not shown), such as a universal serial bus (USB) or a Bluetooth, and the communication module, such as the mobile communication module , the wired Internet module, the wireless Internet module, or the local area communication module, can be an external communication module, or be part of a mobile device, such as a smartphone. In this case, the probe communicator 150 can connect to the external communication module, or to the wireless mobile device, or via wire, and the external communication module or the mobile device can connect to the first network, in such a way that the
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18/42 probe device 100 indirectly contacts the first network 200. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the server 300, according to the current exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 3, server 300 includes a server communicator 310, an operating unit 320, and a data storage unit 330. The server and operating unit communication comprise hardware, and may include separate processors or microprocessors, or a single microprocessor.
[00057] The server communicator 310 may preferably include at least one of a mobile communication module, a wired Internet module, a wireless Internet module, and a local area communication module. Since the mobile communication module, the wired Internet module, the wireless Internet module, and the local area communication module are substantially the same as those described above in relation to the probe communicator 150, their details are not will be repeated.
[00058] Upon receiving a command to run the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application through server communicator 310, operational unit 320 runs the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application by loading the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application from the storage unit 330 data in hardware, such as a microprocessor controller. The ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application includes an image processing module to generate an ultrasonic image, based on ultrasonic echo data obtained from the probe device 100. In addition, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can provide an interface from user to device
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19/42 electronic 500. The user interface may not only include a menu related to the processing of an ultrasonic image, but also preferably include a control menu etc. to control the probe device 100. In addition, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can include a module to manage various types of diagnostic data related to an ultrasonic image of a person to be examined. In addition, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application may preferably also include an authentication module for probe device 100 and / or electronic device 500. Operating unit 320 may perform a process for identifying probe device 100 to be turned on, comparing identification information transmitted from probe device 100 and identification information from probe device 100, which are pre-stored in data storage unit 330. In addition, operational unit 320 can perform an authentication process user on the electronic device 500. The user authentication process can be performed on the electronic device 500, when the electronic device 500 is connected to the server 300, or when the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application is run.
[00059] The data storage unit 330, which comprises a non-transitory, machine-readable media, can store a program for running the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, or it can temporarily store processed data in the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, such as as digital echo data transmitted from probe device 100, or ultrasonic image data processed from digital echo data.
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20/42
In addition, the data storage unit 330 can store the identification information of the probe device 100 and the identification information of the electronic device 500. Furthermore, the data storage unit 330 can store information about the person being examined , including identification information (ID, a resident registration number, a name, an address, a telephone number, etc.), a diagnostic result of the person being examined, etc. The data storage unit 330 may include a storage media of at least one type, among a type of flash memory, a type of hard disk, a type of micro multimedia card, a card type memory (for example, a Secure Digital (SD) card, or a card extreme digital (XD)), a type of random access memory (RAM), a type of static RAM (SRAM), a type of read-only memory (ROM), a type of read-only memory pro electrically erasable grammar (EEPROM), a type of programmable read-only memory (PROM), a type of magnetic memory, a type of magnetic disk, and a type of optical disk, to name just a few non-limiting examples. Such data storage unit 330 may exist as a separate storage server, connected to a network.
[00060] The server 300 can be understood, as a cloud computing service server processor, to run an application requested by a client, such as the probe device 100 or the electronic device 500, through the first and second networks 200 and 400.
[00061] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic device 500, according to the current embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the
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21/42 electronic device 500 may include a terminal communicator 510 for communication with server 300, a display unit 520 for showing a screen of an image diagnostic application running on server 300, a user input unit 530 for introduction a menu for manipulating the image diagnostic application running on server 300, and a terminal controller 540 to generate a control message, or the like.
[00062] The terminal communicator 510 may preferably include at least one of a mobile communication module, a wired Internet module, a wireless Internet module, and a local area communication module. The mobile communication module, the wired internet module, the wireless internet module, and the local area communication module are substantially the same as those described above in relation to the probe communicator 150 and therefore their details are not repeated.
[00063] The display unit 520 displays the screen of the image diagnostic application running on the server 300. For example, the screen of the image diagnostic application can be a user interface displayed with an ultrasonic image processed by the server 300 and a manipulation menu for selecting a mode (for example, a brightness mode (B), a Doppler mode (D), a color mode (C), a movement mode (M), and an elastic mode) to process an ultrasonic image. The 520 display unit may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible screen, a transparent display, and a three-dimensional (3D) display. The invention
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22/42 claimed is not limited to the types of displays mentioned above, since these are merely exemplary or preferable.
[00064] User input unit 530 generates keystroke input data, which is entered to manipulate the image diagnostic application run on server 300 by a user. The user input unit 530 may include a key pad or touch pad (static or electrostatic pressure, for example). Specifically, a touch screen is formed when the user input unit 530, which is a type of touch pad, forms a mutual layer structure with the display unit 520. The claimed invention is not limited by the types of touch screens disclosed herein, which are provided for illustrative purposes only.
[00065] FIG. 5 is an example of a user interface displayed on the display unit 520 of the electronic device 500 of FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 5, the display unit 520 can display an ultrasonic image 521, obtained by emitting ultrasonic image data generated by the server 300, information 522 about a user, information 523 about an ultrasonic image processing mode, and identification information 524 about the probe device 100. When the user input unit 530 is activated with an input method, such as a touchscreen method, menus for information 522, 523, and 524 can be directly manipulated to manipulate the application image diagnostics, including the ultrasonic image processing mode, or to control probe device 100. [00066] Referring again to FIG. 4, the controller
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23/42 terminal 540 can generate a control message to control the image diagnostic application run on server 300, according to key input data entered from user input unit 530. Control messages can be communicated through a browser. More specifically, the wireless electronic device 500 may have an app, or a graphical user interface, that has a link to activate the image diagnostic application. The electronic device 500 may further include a memory (not shown), to temporarily store image data from the image diagnostic application inserted from the server 300.
[00067] As described above, the electronic device 500, according to the current exemplary embodiment, functions as an input and output unit of the server 300, to display a screen for running the image diagnostic application of the server 300 and insertion of a manipulation menu. The electronic device 500 can be a mobile terminal connected to a wireless network, or a desktop connected to a wired or wireless network. Examples of the mobile terminal include a cell phone, a smartphone, a touch pad, a laptop, digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, a personal tablet computer ( PC), and a remote controller, to name just a few non-limiting possibilities. Since the processing of an ultrasonic image with a high load is performed by the image diagnostic application of the server 300, the electronic device 500 does not require high performance and may be sufficient to show a process result from the server 300.
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24/42 [00068] Next, the operations of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image will be described, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00069] FIG. 6 is a flow chart for describing operations of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, the system performs the following operations.
[00070] Firstly, electronic device 500 connects to server 300, in operation S610. The electronic device 500 may comprise a terminal allocated to a medical imaging expert, such as a physician, a nurse, a medical laboratory technician, or an emergency rescuer, or a terminal allocated to a person to be examined. In the event that a person being examined is using the probe, it can be connected to, or in communication with, the wireless electronic device 500, via a local communication protocol. The probe can also be integrated with the electronic device, in such a case. When a message, requesting the execution of the ultrasonic image diagnostic application, is transmitted from the electronic device 500 to the server 300, the server 300 executes the ultrasonic image diagnostic application, in operation S620.
[00071] User authentication can also be performed in the S630 operation, during the execution of the ultrasonic image diagnostic application. The S630 operation can be performed, during the execution of the ultrasonic image diagnostic application, when the server 300 asks the electronic device 500 for identification information of a user, the electronic device 500 transmits input manipulation
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25/42 of the user, or user identification information pre-entered in the electronic device 500, to the server 300, and the server 300 compares the received identification information and the pre-stored user identification information. In some cases, user authentication can be performed using identification information from electronic device 500. FIG. 6 shows that the S630 operation is performed during the execution of the ultrasonic image diagnostic application, but, alternatively, the S630 operation can be performed, when the electronic device 500 initially connects to the server 300.
[00072] Then, the probe device 100 is turned on, and synchronized with the server 300 ultrasonic diagnostic application, in the S640 operation. When the probe device 100 is turned on, the coupling unit 140 inside the probe device 100 transmits its identification information to the server 300, and the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application running on the server can identify the probe device 100, based on the identifying information received. A plurality of probe device 100 can be connected to server 300, in which case the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application of server 300 can display the identification information of transmissible probe devices 100 on the display unit 520 of electronic device 500 for the user, to select probe device 100.
[00073] Then, the probe device 100 transmits digital echo data generated from the ultrasonic waves reflected to the server 300, in the S650 operation. The 300 server's ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application generates
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26/42 ultrasonic image data, using echo data received from probe device 100, in operation S660.
[00074] A process for processing the ultrasonic image performed through the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can be a well-known process. For example, the process can include a transmitter beam forming process, a receiver beam forming process, a filtering process, and a sweep conversion process. [00075] The beam forming process of the transmitter is a signal processing process to concentrate ultrasonic waves emitted from the transducer 110, in order to display the reflection characteristics of a tissue in a desired location, and to determine pulse signals to be applied to each of the conversion elements of the transducer 110, considering locations of the conversion elements and a focal point of the emitted ultrasonic waves.
[00076] The beam-forming process of the receiver is a process for concentrating an ultrasonic echo signal received to display reflection characteristics of a tissue in a desired location. As an example of the beamforming process of the receiver, a beamforming technique with adaptive weight, assigning weights to echo signals converted by the conversion elements of the transducer 110 of FIG. 2 and performing a sum and delay operation (DAS), is well known.
[00077] The filtering process can be passband filtering, and not only reduces noise, but is also used to process an ultrasonic image, using a reference frequency (provides excellent penetration) or secondary harmonic waves (provides excellent resolution, due to the excellent classification characteristics of the fabric).
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27/42 [00078] The scan conversion process is a process of converting a coordinate system of raw data into a coordinate system used in the display unit 520 of the electronic device 500.
[00079] The ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can employ several algorithms for a digital processing path, to extract a clear image. For example, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can employ algorithms, combination filtering, frequency time compensation, echo line average, noise reduction, frame smoothing, and edge detection.
[00080] Meanwhile, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can process the ultrasonic image in at least one of a B mode, a D mode, a C mode, a M mode, and an elastic mode. In addition, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can process a 2D image, or a 3D image.
[00081] More particularly, mode B provides a black and white image used to examine the structure of tissues and organs. The D mode provides the speed of a moving object in a Doppler spectrum image, using a Doppler effect. Mode C provides the speed of a moving object in a color image using a Doppler effect. The M mode provides bio-information (such as luminance information) of a given part of the object, varying over time in an image in mode B. The elastic mode provides an image of a difference in reaction when compression is applied and not applied to the object.
[00082] The server 300 transmits the generated ultrasonic image data to the electronic device 500 in the
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28/42 operation S67 0, in order to show the ultrasonic image on the display 520 of the electronic device 500. In addition, the server 300 transmits the various modes for the processing of the ultrasonic image or information on the manipulation menu to control the probe device 100 for the electronic device 500, so that the user selects a mode for processing the ultrasonic image and controls the probe device 100 by manipulating the electronic device 500.
[00083] The system described above can be used in a variety of different scenarios. For example, an emergency responder can run the server image diagnostic application 300 via electronic device 500 in an emergency, and scan a predetermined part of a person to be examined by synchronizing probe device 100 with the application diagnostic imaging, when observing an ultrasonic image displayed on the electronic device 500, thus verifying the person on the spot in real time.
[00084] Alternatively, a doctor or a patient, that is, a person to be examined, can run the image diagnostic application of the server 300 through the electronic device 500 in the patient's residence, and scan a predetermined part of the person, through synchronization of the probe device 100 with the image diagnostic application, while observing an ultrasonic image displayed on the electronic device 500, thus examining the person on the spot in real time.
[00085] In addition, a hospital diagnostic imaging specialist can own the probe device 100 and the
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29/42 electronic device 500, and diagnose a patient on the spot in real time, rather than in a separate ultrasonic diagnostic environment. Here, the ultrasonic image obtained through the probe device 100 can be stored in the electronic device 500 and used for future diagnosis. [00086] The probe device 100 and the plurality of electronic devices 500 connected to the server 300 can operate independently. In other words, a probe device 100 and an electronic device 500 can pair up to connect to server 300. In this case, server 300 can be placed in a hospital or on a data sensor, and expensive equipment for the processing an ultrasonic image can be replaced by the server 300, thus reducing system costs.
[00087] A cloud computing service denotes a service for providing computing resources requested by a user, at any time, anywhere, over the Internet. In the cloud computing service, when a customer requests an application to run, a server runs the application and provides only one result to the customer. In other words, the customer can be considered as a type of input and output device in the cloud computing service. In the system of the current exemplary embodiment, since the processing of an ultrasonic image is separate from the probe device 100 and the electronic device 500, and performed by the server ultrasonic image diagnostic application 300, the probe device 100 and the electronic device 500 can be understood as a type of client, and the server 300 can be understood as a cloud service server. High-performance computing resources are
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30/42 needed to achieve high quality ultrasonic imaging and diagnostic results, but this request for resources for high performance computing is an obstacle to compacting and reducing system thickness. However, in the current exemplary embodiment, since the image diagnostic application for obtaining an ultrasonic image from echo data is performed by the server 300, the probe device 100 can be compacted and tuned for the purposes of portability and therefore an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic service can be easily used at home and outdoors.
[00088] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a probe device 101, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 7, the probe device 101, according to the current exemplary embodiment, is substantially identical to the probe device 100 of the previous embodiment, except that the probe device 101 additionally includes a beam former from the transmitter 122 in the generator pulses 120 and a beam former of the receiver 133 in the analog signal processor 130.
[00089] In the exemplary embodiment above, the server 300 performs the beam forming process of the transmitter and the beam forming process of the receiver, but, in the current embodiment, the beam forming of the transmitter 122 and the beam forming of the receiver 133 included in the probe device 101 perform, respectively, the beam forming process of the transmitter and the beam forming process of the receiver. For example, the beam former of transmitter 122 allows pulsator 121 to generate pulse signals to be applied to each of the transducer conversion elements
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31/42
110, considering the locations of the conversion elements and the concentration point of the ultrasonic waves. The beamformer of the receiver 133 performs a concentration process to exhibit reflection characteristics of a tissue in a desired location from an received ultrasonic signal.
[00090] In the current exemplary embodiment, since the beam-forming processes of the transmitter and receiver are performed by the probe device 101, data, according to the beam-forming processes of the transmitter and receiver, need not be transmitted and received through the first network 200, and thus a quantity of the data transmitted and received in the probe communicator 150 can be reduced.
[00091] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a probe device 102, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the probe device 102, according to the current embodiment, is substantially identical to the probe device 101 of FIG. 7, except that the probe device 102 further includes a compressor 134 in the analog signal processor 130. Compressor 134 compresses a data size of a digital echo signal generated by the analog signal processor 130.
[00092] In the previous exemplary embodiments, uncompressed echo data is transmitted to server 300 from probe devices 100 and 102, but probe device 102 of the current exemplary embodiment transmits compressed data to the server 300. Thus, more pieces of information are transmitted substantially to the server 300 in real time, and an ultrasonic image, which has a high resolution, can be obtained in real time. A compression program can be used to compress the data.
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32/42 [00093] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a probe device 103, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 9, probe device 103 is substantially identical to probe devices 100, 101, and 102 of the preceding embodiments, unless probe device 103 further includes a user input unit 160. The input device unit 160 User 160 can be a key input unit for manipulating probe device 103. In some cases, user input unit 160 can provide a user interface for the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application running on server 300. As such , since probe device 103 additionally includes user input unit 160, probe device 103 can be manipulated using probe device 103 itself. User input may also comprise a portion of the touchscreen.
[00094] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[00095] Referring now to FIG. 10, the system, according to the current exemplary embodiment, includes probe device 100, server 300, a first electronic device 501, and a second electronic device 502. In the current exemplary embodiment, a system is formed , when the first and second electronic devices 501 and 502 are combined with respect to a probe device 100. Of course, three or more electronic devices can be combined for a probe device 100. The first and second electronic devices 501 and 502 are substantially identical to the electronic device 500 described with reference
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33/42 to Figs. 1 to 9, except that the first and second electronic devices 501 and 502 are combined with a probe device 100. In other words, the mechanical structures of the first and second electronic devices 501 and 502 are substantially identical to those of the electronic device 500. [ 00096] A cooperative relationship between the first and second electronic devices 501 and 502 may vary.
[00097] For example, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application running on server 300 can be controlled by any of the first and second electronic devices 501 and 502. Alternatively, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application can be controllable by both the first and second according to electronic devices 501 and 502. Since the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application not only generates the ultrasonic image based on the echo signal from probe device 100, it also controls probe device 100, either or both the first and second electronic devices 501 and 502 can be used to control the probe device 100. In addition, the ultrasonic image or the user interface of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application displayed on the first electronic device 501 can be manipulated from the second electronic device 502 connected through server 300, or, alternatively, the ultrasonic image or the user interface of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application displayed on the second electronic device 502 can be manipulated from the first electronic device 501 connected via server 300.
[00098] For example, the first electronic device 501 can be adjacent to probe device 100 and / or locally
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34/42 coupled to the first electronic device 501 and, thus, the first electronic device 501 can be connected to the server 300 and the ultrasonic diagnostic application of the server 300 can be executed before the operation of the probe device 100, that is, before the ultrasonic waves scan the person to be examined. For example, the probe device 100 and the first electronic device 501 can be operated by the same person. At the same time, the second electronic device 502 is located remotely from the probe device 100, that is, the person to be examined, and the ultrasonic image based on the echo signal obtained by the probe device 100, can be remotely viewed In real time.
[00099] In more detail, the first electronic device 501 can be used by an emergency rescuer, and the second electronic device 502 can be used by a hospital diagnostic imaging expert or the like. In this case, when the emergency responder runs the ultrasound imaging diagnostic application on the server 300, using the first electronic device 501, and scans a predetermined part of the person to be examined, by synchronizing the probe device 100 with the diagnostic application. In the event of an emergency ultrasound imaging, the remote imaging diagnostic specialist can direct the manipulation (for example, pointing to a part to be scanned) of the probe device 100 to the emergency rescuer via a communication unit, such as a phone while looking at an ultrasonic image on a screen of the ultrasonic diagnostic diagnostic application run by server 300 through the second device
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Electronic 35/42 502 in real time. If the ultrasonic image or the user interface of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application displayed on the first 501 electronic device is manipulable from the second 502 electronic device, the imaging specialist can directly manipulate the ultrasonic image, or other data displayed on the first electronic device 501, via the second electronic device 502. A remote configuration program can be used, as a possible example for device 502 to manipulate device 501. In addition, the image diagnostician can select an image mode ultrasound (for example, a B mode, a D mode, a C mode, or an elastic mode) by manipulating a menu for manipulating the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application run on server 300 through the second electronic device 502. A third device electronic can also be included, for a third person to see the ultrasonic image by mei the third electronic device.
[000100] Next, operations of the system, according to the current embodiment, will be described.
[000101] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing an ultrasonic image, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[000102] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the current exemplary embodiment system works, as follows. First, the first electronic device 501 connects to server 300 in operation S710. The first electronic device 501 can be a terminal owned by a medical imaging expert, such as a doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratory technician, or an emergency rescuer, or a
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36/42 terminal owned by a person to be examined. When a message requesting the execution of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application is transmitted from the first electronic device 501 to server 300, server 300 executes the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application in operation S720. User authentication can be performed when the first electronic device 501 is connected to server 300, or when the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application is run. Then, the probe device 100 is turned on, and it is synchronized with the server's ultrasonic diagnostic diagnostic application 300, in operation S730. Then, probe device 100 transmits digital echo data generated from reflected ultrasonic waves to server 300 in operation S740. The server 300's ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application generates ultrasonic image data, using the echo data received from probe device 100 in operation S750.
[000103] The server transmits the generated ultrasonic image data to the first electronic device 501 in operation S760, and the ultrasonic image is displayed on a display unit (see display unit 520 of FIG. 4) of the first electronic device 501.
[000104] At the same time, the second electronic device 502 connects to server 300 to run the diagnostic application of ultrasonic imaging, in operation S770. The second electronic device 502 can be located remotely from the probe device 100.
[000105] For example, the probe device 100 and the first electronic device 501 can be located outdoors or at home, and used by an amateur, such as a patient or
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37/42 an emergency rescuer, and the second electronic device 502 can be located in a hospital and used by a specialist, such as a doctor. When the second electronic device 502 runs the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application transmits the ultrasonic image based on the echo data obtained from probe device 100 to the second electronic device 502, and the second electronic device 502 displays the ultrasonic image in the S780 operation. Furthermore, server 300 can provide the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application for the second electronic device 502, to allow the second electronic device 502 to control the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application running on the server 300. In addition, authentication the user can be additionally performed when the second electronic device 502 is connected to the server 300, or the second electronic device 502 runs the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application.
[000106] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[000107] Referring to FIG. 12, the system, according to the current embodiment, includes a probe device 105, a server 300, and an electronic device 500. In the current embodiment, the probe device 105 and the electronic device 500 are directly connected each other, and the probe device 105 is connected to a network 400 via the electronic device 500. The probe device 105 includes a communication interface connected to the electronic device 500, and may not include a communication module, which is
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38/42 directly connected to the 400 network. As such, through the communication interface, which is inexpensive, light, and has low energy consumption, instead of a high-cost communication module for the 105 probe device, manufacturing costs of probe device 105 can be reduced, the weight of probe device 105 can be reduced, and the power consumption of probe device 105 can be reduced, thereby improving the portability of probe device 105. [000108 ] The server 300 and the electronic device 500 of FIG. 12 can be, respectively, server 300 and electronic device 500 of Figs. 3 and 4. The current embodiment is substantially identical to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9, except that probe device 105 is connected to network 400 via electronic device 500.
[000109] For example, a probe communicator of probe device 105 and a terminal communicator of electronic device 500 can include a communication interface, such as a USB or Bluetooth cable, and only electronic device 500 can include a module of communication. mobile communication, a wired internet module, a wireless internet module, or a local area communication module, which is connected to the 400 network. In this case, the probe device 105 connects to the electronic device 500 wirelessly or wired, and can connect to server 300 via electronic device 500. [000110] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a system for diagnosing an ultrasonic image, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[000111] Referring to FIG. 13, the system, according to the current embodiment, includes a probe device 105, a server 300, a first electronic device 501, and a
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39/42 second electronic device 502. In the current embodiment, probe device 105 and first electronic device 501 are directly connected to each other, and probe device 106 connects to server 300 with a network 400 through the first electronic device 501. In addition, the second electronic device 502 connects to server 300 via network 400. Of course, an electronic device can additionally connect to server 300 via network 400. The current embodiment is substantially identical to that described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11, except that probe device 105 connects to network 400 via the first electronic device 501. Meanwhile, the first electronic device 501 can simply function only as a communication module of probe device 105. In this case, the The first electronic device 501 can be understood to be an external type of the probe communicator 150 of the probe device 100 described above with reference to FIG. 2.
[000112] According to the systems and methods of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a high-load imaging process is focused on the server, such that the probe device or the electronic device does not require an imaging device high performance processing. Thus, the probe device or the electronic device can be compacted and tuned, to improve portability and reduce manufacturing costs.
[000113] In case the first device and / or the second device can constitute a mobile communication terminal, such as a user in a remote area through a probe 100 connected, or integrated, to the device 95 to provide
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40/42 information to a medical specialist via the second electronic device 500, the examined person and the medical expert can establish or receive telephone communications with the person being self-examined, or examined locally, while a user of the second electronic device or other communication device may provide verbal feedback or instructions to the user of device 95, instead of, or in addition to, the second electronic device manipulating device 95. This exemplary embodiment is advantageous since the first user may not be a technician trained in ultrasound, and can receive instructions when directing the probe, for example, when the device has a speaker connected. A person with knowledge in the art may realize that some mobile communication terminals may have access to the Internet when making a voice call, which may or may not include voice over IP (VoIP), and the ultrasound can be activated and relay results via a server or base station, when talking to a doctor, ultrasound technician, emergency rescuer, which can be extremely advantageous in the event of a serious injury. In addition, according to the systems and methods of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the time required to initiate diagnosis using the server's high-performance computing resources is reduced and, therefore, a patient can be quickly diagnosed.
[000114] In addition, according to the systems and methods of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the user is able to see the progress of a corresponding application, when connecting to the system through the electronic device connected to the network and, thus, , the limitation
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41/42 space is reduced and a limitation for a certain number of monitors is reduced.
[000115] The methods described above, according to the present invention can be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or as computer code, which is loaded into hardware, such as a microprocessor, and can be stored on a recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, RAM, flash drive, floppy disk, hard disk, or magneto-optical disk, or computer code downloaded over a network, originally stored on remote recording media, or non-transitory media machine readable, and be stored on a local recording medium, so that the methods described here can be processed in software, which is stored on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, and loaded into hardware, such as a processor or microprocessor, or a special processor or on programmable or dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As will be understood in the art, the computer, processor, microprocessor or controller are hardware elements, and claims must be interpreted with such elements comprising hardware, and must not be interpreted, in the broadest reasonable interpretation, as being pure software, which is beyond the scope of a statutory invention. Programmable hardware includes memory components, for example, RAM, ROM, Flash, etc., that can store or receive software or computer code, which, when accessed and executed by the computer, processor, or hardware, implements the methods of processing described here. In addition, it is recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses the code to perform the processing shown here, the
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42/42 code execution turns the general purpose computer into a special use computer to perform the processing shown here.
[000116] The invention can also be carried out as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device, which can store data, which can later be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, etc. Computer-readable recording media it can also be distributed across networked computer systems, so that computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed manner. In addition, all the modules described here constitute hardware modules, such as microprocessors, which can be configured with software or firmware, since the claimed invention, according to the attached claims, is addressed to the legal matter.
[000117] Although the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to its exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in shape and details can be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.
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1/5

权利要求:
Claims (13)
[1]
- CLAIMS 1. PROBE DEVICE, characterized by the fact of understanding:
pulse generator comprising a pulsator, which generates a pulse signal;
transducer, which converts the pulse signal generated into ultrasonic waves for transmission through a body, and converts the ultrasonic waves, which are reflected back from the body, into an electrical signal;
signal processor to generate an echo signal from the converted electrical signal from the ultrasonic waves reflected by the transducer; and probe communicator, which is configured to communicate with a server over a network, in which the server runs an ultrasonic diagnostic diagnostic application requested by an electronic device, and the probe communication transmits the echo signal generated by the processor signal to the server.
[2]
2. PROBE DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the probe communicator comprises at least one of a mobile communication module directly connected to the network, a wireless Internet module, a wired Internet module, and a local area communication module, or comprise a communication interface connected to the network via an external communication module.
[3]
3. PROBE DEVICE, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a user input unit, which receives input commands.
[4]
4. SERVER CONFIGURED FOR A SYSTEM OF
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2/5
ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS, characterized by the fact that said server is composed of:
server communicator, which communicates with an ultrasonic probe device of any one of claims 1 to 3 and an electronic device, via a network;
data storage unit, which stores an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application; and operational unit, which runs the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, in response to a request from the electronic device, in which the operating unit generates ultrasonic image data, using an echo signal transmitted from the electronic device, and transmits the data ultrasonic image generated for the electronic device.
[5]
5. SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSTICATING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE, characterized by the fact that the system comprises:
probe device of any one of claims 1 to 3, which transmits an echo signal received from a transducer to a server, over a network;
server of claim 4, which runs an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, in which the ultrasonic image data is generated, using the echo signal received from the probe device; and electronic device, which comprises a visualization unit, which receives over the network and displays the ultrasonic image data generated by the server's ultrasonic diagnostic application.
[6]
6. SYSTEM, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the probe device performs a
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3/5 the beam-forming process of the receiver, which concentrates the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer, or the ultrasonic image diagnostic application executed by the server performs a beam-forming process of the transmitter, which concentrates the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer.
[7]
7. SYSTEM, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the probe device executes a beam forming process of the receiver, which concentrates an echo signal, or the ultrasonic image diagnostic application executed by the server executes a receiver beam, which concentrates a converted echo signal received by the transducer.
8. SYSTEM, in wake up with Any of them of claims 5 to 7, characterized fur fact of the operation of probe device to be controllable by the device electronic. 9. SYSTEM, in wake up with Any of them of
claims 5 to 8, characterized by the fact that the electronic device comprises a first electronic device and a second electronic device, which receives and displays, respectively, ultrasonic image data generated by the server's ultrasonic diagnostic application.
[8]
10. SYSTEM, according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the ultrasonic image diagnostic application executed by the server is controlled by at least one of the first and second electronic devices.
[9]
11. SYSTEM, according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the ultrasonic image data, or the user interface of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application, shown on a screen of the first device
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Electronic 4J5, to be manipulated by the second electronic device connected through the server
[10]
12. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the electronic device comprises a mobile terminal connected to a wireless network, or a work area connected to a wired or wireless network.
[11]
13. METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE THROUGH A SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that the method comprises:
transmission, from the electronic device to the server, of a request to run an ultrasonic imaging diagnostic application over a network;
running the ultrasound imaging diagnostic application using the server, in response to the request from the electronic device;
generating an echo signal from a material to be examined by the probe device;
transmitting the echo signal generated by the probe device to the server;
generation of ultrasonic image data through the server, using the received echo signal; and displaying an ultrasonic image on the electronic device generated by the ultrasonic image data received from the server, over the network.
[12]
14. METHOD, according to claim 13, characterized in that the generation of the echo signal still comprises the compression of a data size of the digital echo signal.
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5/5
[13]
15. METHOD, according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by the fact that it still comprises the display, on the electronic device, of a user interface of the ultrasonic image diagnostic application executed by the server and sent to the electronic device.
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1/9

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法律状态:
2018-10-30| B03A| Publication of an application: publication of a patent application or of a certificate of addition of invention|

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2018-12-04| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|

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2020-02-11| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: suspension of the patent application procedure|

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2020-08-11| B11B| Dismissal acc. art. 36, par 1 of ipl - no reply within 90 days to fullfil the necessary requirements|

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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KR1020120005275A|KR101562204B1|2012-01-17|2012-01-17|Probe device, server, ultrasound image diagnosis system, and ultrasound image processing method|

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