The field of the invention is imaging methods and systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a synchronized magnification system and method for generally similarly shaped objects.
Digital imaging systems are commonly employed to allow an operator to obtain images that show the interior of a structure of interest. A common application of such imaging systems is medical imaging, and common approaches for implementing such imaging systems, especially in the context of medical imaging, include magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, X-ray imaging, computerized tomography, etc.
Today, many tools exist that assist operators when using digital imaging systems. For example, operators often need to define a particular region in a view port and create a mask around this area. This allows an operator to focus clearly within the defined region so that extraneous imagery does not distract the eye. For many operators, particularly radiologists, there exists a need to frequently manipulate and reconfigure masked images within a short period of time. Consequently, it is desirable to have a system that allows operators to interactively navigate through images as well as create, manipulate, and reconfigure masks in real-time.
In many instances, particularly screening mammography, it would be desirable for radiologists to be able to compare zoomed regions in multiple image ports simultaneously. Mammographers are taught to scan right breast images counter clockwise and left breast images in a clockwise fashion. Thus, it would be advantageous if mammographers had the ability to compare multiple zoomed regions in mirrored or symmetrical synchronization. Consequently, it is desirable to have a system that allows an operator to interactively view, magnify, and inspect multiple image ports simultaneously, in symmetrical and mirrored synchronization.
One embodiment of the invention provides an image masking system including a computer device, at least one display screen, and an operator control device. The computer device controls the operation of the system. The at least one display screen is coupled to the computer device and displays at least one image. The image includes at least one view port that displays at least a first portion of the at least one image and at least one masking region that displays at least a second portion of the at least one image. The operator control device is coupled to the computer device for receiving operator input. The operator input is provided to the computer device so that the computer device controls operation of the system in accordance with the operator input and at least one image manipulation function, including a real-time masking function. The real-time masking function permits the at least one masking region to be reconfigured in real-time while continuously displaying the at least one masking region and the at least one view port.
Another embodiment of the invention provides an image masking system including a computer device, at least one display screen, and an operator control device. The computer device controls operation of the system. The at least one display screen is coupled to the computer device for displaying a plurality of radiology images. The plurality of radiology images include view ports that display at least a first portion of the at least one of the plurality of radiology images. The plurality of radiology images also include a plurality of masking regions that display at least a second portion of at least one of the plurality of radiology images. The operator control device is coupled to the computer device for receiving operator input being provided to the computer device to permit the computer device to control operation of the system in accordance with the operator input and at least one image manipulation function. The at least one image manipulation function synchronizes the plurality of view ports according to a mirror synchronization configuration and includes a real-time masking function.
Another embodiment of the invention provides an image masking system including a computer device, at least one display screen, and an operator control device. The computer device controls operation of the system. The at least one display screen is coupled to the computer device for displaying a plurality of radiology images. The plurality of radiology images include view ports that display at least a first portion of the at least one of the plurality of radiology images. The plurality of radiology images also include a plurality of masking regions that display at least a second portion of at least one of the plurality of radiology images. The operator control device is coupled to the computer device for receiving operator input being provided to the computer device to permit the computer device to control operation of the system in accordance with the operator input and at least one image manipulation function. The at least one image manipulation function synchronizes the plurality of view ports according to a symmetrical synchronization configuration and includes a real-time masking function.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of masking at least a portion of an image. The method includes displaying at least one image on at least one display screen. The method also includes receiving operator input to configure the at least one image. In addition, the method includes defining one or more areas on the at least one image as one or more view ports, and defining the remaining areas on the at least one image as one or more masking regions. Further, the method includes at least partially masking the one or more masking regions in real-time according to at least one image manipulation function where the at least one image manipulation function comprises a real-time masking function. The real-time masking function permits the one or more masking regions to be reconfigured in real-time while continuously displaying the plurality of masking regions and the one or more view ports.
Another embodiment of the invention provides an image masking system including a means for controlling the operation of the system. Also, the system includes a means for displaying at least one image where the at least one image includes at least one masking region and at least one view port. The at least one masking region is at least partially masked and the at least one view port displays at least a portion of the at least one image. In addition, the system includes a means for receiving operator input. Further, the system includes a means for configuring the at least one masked region according to at least one image manipulation function including a real-time masking function. The real-time masking function permits the at least one masking region to be reconfigured in real-time while continuously displaying the at least one masking region and the at least one view port.
Further, another embodiment of the invention provides an image manipulation system including a computer device, at least one display screen, and an operator control device. The computer device controls the operation of the system. The at least one display screen is coupled to the computer and displays a plurality of generally similarly shaped objects. The plurality of generally similarly shaped objects include a plurality of view ports that display at least a portion of the plurality of generally similarly shaped objects. The operator control device is coupled to the computer device for receiving operator input. The operator input is provided to the computer device so that the computer device controls operation of the system in accordance with the operator input and at least one image manipulation function. The image manipulation function synchronizes a plurality of view ports according to either a mirror synchronization configuration or a symmetrical synchronization configuration.
Another embodiment of the invention provides an image manipulation system including a computer device, at least one display screen, and an operator control device. The computer device controls operation of the system. The at least one display screen is coupled to the computer device and displays a plurality of mammography images. The plurality of mammography images includes a plurality of view ports that display at least a portion of the plurality of mammography images. Further, the operator control device is coupled to the computer device for receiving operator input. The operator input is provided to the computer device to permit the computer device to control operation of the system in accordance with operator input and at least one image manipulation function. The at least one image manipulation function synchronizes the plurality of view ports according to a mirror synchronization configuration.
Another embodiment of the invention provides an image manipulation system including a computer device, at least one display screen, and an operator control device. The computer device controls operation of the system. The at least one display screen is coupled to the computer device and displays a plurality of mammography images. The plurality of mammography images includes a plurality of view ports that display at least a portion of the plurality of mammography images. Further, the operator control device is coupled to the computer device for receiving operator input. The operator input is provided to the computer device to permit the computer device to control operation of the system in accordance with operator input and at least one image manipulation function. The at least one image manipulation function synchronizes the plurality of view ports according to a symmetrical synchronization configuration.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of manipulating an image including displaying a plurality of generally similarly shaped objects on at least one display screen. The method includes receiving operator input for configuring the plurality of generally similarly shaped objects. In addition, the method includes defining a plurality of areas on the plurality of generally similarly shaped objects as view ports. Further, the method includes synchronizing the view ports according to a synchronization configuration including either a mirror synchronization or symmetrical synchronization. Furthermore, the method includes manipulating the plurality of generally similarly shaped objects according to at least one image manipulation function.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system including a means for controlling the operation of the system. In addition, the system includes a means for displaying a plurality of generally similarly shaped objects. The system also includes a means for displaying a plurality of view ports that display at least a portion of the generally similarly shaped objects. Further, the system includes a means for receiving operator input and a means for manipulating the plurality of generally similarly shaped objects according to the operator input. Furthermore, the system includes a means for synchronizing the plurality of view ports according to either a mirror synchronization configuration or a symmetrical synchronization configuration.
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The at least one image manipulation function includes a real-time masking function. Real-time masking function permits the at least one masking region 28 to be reconfigured in real-time while continuously displaying the at least one masking region 28 and the at least one view port 20. Therefore, an operator may move view port 20 around image 18 in real-time to focus in on certain areas of image 18 while being able to continuously see view port 20 and masking regidn 28. Further assisting this process is the ability to at least partially mask out the second portion 24 of image 18 to create an at least partially masked region 28 in real-time. Furthermore, the opacity of the late least partially masked region 28 may be configured from 0 to 100% in real-time. In other words, the darkness of the at least partially masked region 28 may be varied according to an operator. For example, if an operator desires to mask part of image 18, but only wants the mask to lightly cover the underlying second portion 24 of image 18, the operator might select a lower opacity setting (e.g., 0 to 33%). Further, if an operator desires to mask part of image 18 somewhat moderately, the operator might select a medium opacity setting (e.g., 33 to 66%). Similarly, if the operator desires a heavy mask, a heavy opacity setting could be selected (e.g., 66 to 100%). Thus, this feature allows an operator to mask a portion of an image (e.g., unrelated to the examination), but still see an outline of the masked portion under the mask according to the selected opacity setting all in real-time. As used throughout this application, the term “real-time” refers to a level of computer responsiveness that an operator senses as sufficiently immediate or that enables the computer to keep up with some external process (e.g., continuous manipulation of an image by an operator).
Another feature of the real-time masking function 32, is that an operator may select a desired color for the mask. For example, an operator could choose black for the mask. Alternatively, any number of colors could be selected (e.g., green, orange, yellow, blue, purple, etc.). Further, the real-time masking function enables an operator to create/manipulate/configure the masks or underlying portions interactively. In other words, all actions are performed in real-time. Real-time masking function may also be combined with a large number of other functions to manipulate image 18. For example, real-time masking function can work together with a zoom function for zooming in toward and out from at least a portion of image 18, a magnification function for magnifying at least a portion of image 18, a sizing function for increasing or decreasing the size of view port 20, etc. The zoom function, magnification function, sizing function, or other functions are generally controlled by user inputs through the operator control device 16. For example, as shown in
The at least one image manipulation function may synchronize the plurality of view ports 20 according to either a mirror synchronization configuration 34 or a symmetrical synchronization configuration 36. Mirror synchronization configuration 34 allows a plurality of images 18 to be displayed as mirror images of one another. As shown in
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Symmetrical synchronization configuration 136 allows a plurality of images 118 to be displayed symmetrically with respect to one another. As shown in
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The at least one image manipulation function synchronizes the plurality of view ports 120 according to either a mirror synchronization configuration 134 or a symmetrical synchronization configuration 136. Mirror synchronization configuration 134 allows a plurality of images 118 to be displayed as mirror images of one another. As shown in
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Symmetrical synchronization configuration 136 allows a plurality of images 118 to be displayed symmetrically with respect to one another. As shown in
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System 110 may also include numerous image manipulation functions. For example, system 110 may include a zoom function for zooming in toward and out from at least a portion of the plurality of images 118 within the at least one display screen 114. System 110 may also include a magnification function for magnifying at least a portion of the plurality of images 118 within the at least one display screen 114. System 110 may also include a sizing function for increasing or decreasing the size of the plurality of view ports 120. The zoom function, magnification function, and sizing function are generally controlled by user inputs through the operator control device 116. For example, operator control device 116 may include a computer mouse device 138 having at least a right button 140. The image manipulation functions could be configured differently depending on a user by depressing the right button 140 on the computer mouse device 138. Furthermore, system 110 is configured so that any of the image manipulation functions may be conducted interactively in real-time.
While the embodiments and application of the invention illustrated in the figures and described above are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of this application.
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