Medical information display control device, medical information control method, and x-ray diagnostic system

Abstract

To improve operability of a pointer that moves across multiple screens.SOLUTION: A medical information display control device according to an embodiment comprises a reception unit, an acquisition unit, a detection unit, a computation unit, and an output unit. The reception unit receives a pointer operation signal in response to a moving operation and a stopping operation by a user. The acquisition unit acquires multiple sets of medical information screen data to be laid out as a display screen. The detention unit detects a first pointer drawn on one of the multiple sets of medical information screen data to identify first pointer coordinates indicative of a position of the first pointer. The computation unit computes second pointer coordinates indicative of a position of a second pointer drawn on the display screen according to the pointer operation signal. The output unit outputs a pinter movement signal based on the pointer operation signal so as to match the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a medical information display control device, a medical information control method, and an X-ray diagnosis system. [Background technology]

[0002] In a catheterization room housing an imaging device of an X-ray diagnostic system, a large-screen monitor is used to display an integrated screen in which the screens of multiple devices are integrated by a combinator. The screens of multiple devices and applications are laid out on the large-screen monitor. It is desirable for the large-screen monitor to allow the mouse pointer to move across each screen in the integrated screen in response to mouse operations by the user.

[0003] Accordingly, some compositors are equipped with a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) function, which relays input from a HID (human interface device) such as a mouse connected to the compositor to multiple devices and large-screen monitors.

[0004] Generally, a mouse input signal is a digital signal that corresponds to a two-dimensional movement amount. The coordinates of the mouse pointer on the screen of an application of a certain device are mainly calculated by the OS (Operating System) of the device as the accumulated pointer movement amount multiplied by a magnification factor to the movement amount corresponding to the mouse input signal. This magnification factor is determined by the OS according to the settings, mouse acceleration, etc.

[0005] The devices and applications that display the screen via the compositor may be devices and applications made by the company, or devices made by other companies. In the case of devices and applications made by the company, the compositor can draw the mouse pointer at any coordinate calculated based on the coordinates on the large screen monitor by installing the desired software.

[0006] On the other hand, in the case of devices made by other companies, the desired software cannot be installed, so the mouse pointer cannot be drawn at the arbitrary coordinates calculated by the compositor. For example, in the case of devices made by other companies, the magnification factor by which the amount of movement is multiplied is unknown, so the compositor cannot calculate the coordinates of the mouse pointer.

[0007] For this reason, when moving the mouse pointer from the screen of one of the company's devices to the screen of another company's device on a large screen monitor, it is necessary to transfer control of the mouse pointer to the other company's device (jump in) and then return control of the mouse pointer to the compositor (i.e., onto the large screen) again (jump out). Such operations reduce the operability of the mouse pointer when moving between multiple screens. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-54114 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] One of the problems that the embodiments disclosed in the specification and the drawings aim to solve is to improve the operability of a pointer moving between multiple screens. However, the problems that the embodiments disclosed in the specification and the drawings aim to solve are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be considered as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A medical information display control device according to an embodiment includes a reception unit, an acquisition unit, a detection unit, a calculation unit, and an output unit. The reception unit receives a pointer operation signal corresponding to a moving operation and a stationary operation by a user. The acquisition unit acquires a plurality of medical information screen data laid out as a display screen. The detection unit detects a first pointer drawn on any of the plurality of medical information screen data, and identifies a first pointer coordinate indicating a position of the first pointer. The calculation unit calculates a second pointer coordinate indicating a position of a second pointer drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal. The output unit outputs a pointer movement signal based on the pointer operation signal so as to match the first pointer coordinate and the second pointer coordinate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a compositor and its peripheral configuration according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of global coordinates and local coordinates in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen on which medical information screens are laid out to explain the operation in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen on which medical information screens are laid out to explain the operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of step ST8 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen on which medical information screens are laid out to explain the operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen on which medical information screens are laid out to explain the operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen on which medical information screens are laid out to explain the operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a medical information screen of an external device and a display screen of a display, for explaining the operation in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a medical information screen of an external device and a display screen of a display, for explaining the operation in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen on which medical information screens are laid out to explain the operation in another modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a compositor and its peripheral configuration according to yet another modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of an X-ray diagnosis system according to the second embodiment and its peripheral configuration. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining the vicinity of the boundary in the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen on which medical information screens are laid out to explain the operation in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a compositor is taken as an example of a medical information display control device.

[0013] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a compositor and its peripheral configuration according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 1, a mouse 1, a plurality of external devices 2a to 2c, and a display 3 are connected to a compositor 10. The plurality of external devices 2a to 2c are denoted by the same reference numerals when they are not to be distinguished from one another, and will be described as an external device 2.

[0014] The mouse 1 is an input device for operating a mouse pointer on the screen, and inputs mouse input signals to the compositor in response to the operator's operation. Note that the input device is not limited to the mouse 1, and any device capable of operating a pointer on the screen, such as a trackball or touch pad, can be used as appropriate.

[0015] Each of the external devices 2a to 2c generates medical information screen data and displays it on a screen by executing an installed OS (Operating System) and application by a processor, and sends the medical information screen data to the compositor 10. At this time, any of the external devices 2a, 2b, or 2c generates medical information screen data in which a mouse pointer is drawn on a medical information screen based on a pointer movement signal input from the compositor 10. However, any of the external devices 2a, 2b, or 2c changes according to the pointer coordinates. Furthermore, each of the external devices 2a to 2c calculates the coordinates of the pointer on the medical information screen as an accumulation of the pointer movement amount obtained by multiplying the movement amount corresponding to the pointer movement signal by a magnification factor by the OS of the device, and draws the pointer at the position indicated by the coordinates. This magnification factor is determined by the OS of each of the external devices 2a to 2c according to settings, mouse acceleration, etc. In this embodiment, the magnification factors of the external devices 2a to 2c are different from each other. In addition, the term "external device" refers to a device that is disposed outside the compositor 10 and displays a medical information screen, and may be read as "medical device" or "device." Additionally, the term "external device" does not refer to devices made by other companies. External device 2 is an example of a medical device.

[0016] The display 3 is composed of a display main body that displays the display screen, an internal circuit that supplies a display signal to the display main body, and peripheral circuits such as connectors and cables that connect the display to the internal circuit. For example, the display 3 displays the display screen based on display screen data sent from the compositor 10. The display 3 may be called a "large screen monitor" or a "monitor" since it displays a display screen (composite screen) in which the medical information screens from each external device 2 are laid out.

[0017] On the other hand, the compositor 10 includes a mouse input unit 11, a screen input unit 12, a mouse pointer detection unit 13, a mouse pointer coordinate calculation unit 14, a layout management unit 15, a display control unit 16, a difference calculation unit 17, a feedback calculation unit 18, and a switching output unit 19.

[0018] The mouse input unit 11 receives a pointer movement signal corresponding to the operation of the mouse 1 by the user as a pointer operation signal (x, y movement amount). The x, y movement amount here corresponds to the input mouse movement amount in the X direction and the input mouse movement amount in the y direction. The operation of the mouse 1 corresponding to the pointer movement signal includes at least a movement operation among, for example, a movement operation and a stationary operation. A movement operation is an operation of moving the mouse 1. The mouse 1 in a moving state generates a pointer movement signal corresponding to the x, y movement amount by the movement operation and inputs it to the mouse input unit 11. A stationary operation is an operation of maintaining the stationary state of the mouse 1. The mouse 1 in a stationary state does not generate a pointer movement signal because the x, y movement amount is zero, and does not input the pointer movement signal to the mouse input unit 11. Note that, without being limited to this, in the case of a stationary operation, the mouse input unit 11 may generate a pointer movement signal with the x, y movement amount set to zero, and receive the pointer movement signal as a pointer operation signal (0, 0). Alternatively, in the case of stationary operation, since no pointer movement signal is input, mouse input unit 11 does not need to receive a pointer operation signal. Also, mouse input unit 11 receives a click operation signal in response to a click operation of mouse 1 by a user. Mouse input unit 11 is an example of a receiving unit.

[0019] The screen input unit 12 acquires a plurality of pieces of medical information screen data to be laid out as a display screen from a plurality of external devices 2. In detail, the screen input unit 12 acquires a plurality of pieces of medical information screen data individually from a plurality of external devices 2. The screen input unit 12 is an example of an acquisition unit.

[0020] The mouse pointer detection unit 13 detects a first mouse pointer (hereinafter referred to as the first pointer) drawn on any one of a plurality of medical information screen data, and identifies first pointer coordinates (local coordinates) indicating the position of the first pointer. For example, the mouse pointer detection unit 13 may detect the first pointer from the medical information screen data based on shape data of the first pointer. In addition, for example, the mouse pointer detection unit 13 may detect the first pointer based on a change in the medical information screen data along a time series and a pointer operation signal. In the latter case, the mouse pointer detection unit 13 detects an object that is highly correlated with the pointer operation signal as the first pointer, among objects that move along a time series in the medical information screen data. The mouse pointer detection unit 13 is an example of a detection unit.

[0021] The mouse pointer coordinate calculation unit 14 calculates second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) indicating the position of a second mouse pointer (hereinafter, referred to as the second pointer) drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal. The mouse pointer coordinate calculation unit 14 is an example of a calculation unit.

[0022] The layout management unit 15 holds layout information indicating the layout of a plurality of medical information screen data. The layout management unit 15 also identifies a medical information screen including the second pointer from the second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) calculated by the mouse pointer coordinate calculation unit 14 and the held layout information. The layout management unit 15 also converts the calculated second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) into local coordinates of the medical information screen including the second pointer. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the global coordinates of the display screen (whole screen) displayed on the display 3 and the local coordinates of the medical information screen (window screen) displayed on each of the external devices 2a to 2c can be converted into each other. In detail, the first pointer coordinates are local coordinates indicating a position in the medical information screen data. The second pointer coordinates are global coordinates indicating a position in the display screen. The layout management unit 15 converts the second pointer coordinates, which are global coordinates, into local coordinates by associating each local coordinate of the plurality of medical information screen data with the global coordinates of the display screen based on the layout information. The process of converting the second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) into the second pointer coordinates (local coordinates) may be executed by the mouse pointer coordinate calculation unit 14. In any case, the obtained second pointer coordinates (local coordinates) are sent to the difference calculation unit 17. Furthermore, the layout management unit 15 sends a pointer movement signal corresponding to the pointer operation signal to the switching output unit 19. Furthermore, the layout management unit 15 may control the switching output unit 19 to stop outputting the pointer movement signal to the external device 2 corresponding to the medical information screen data that has changed from a state including the second pointer coordinates to a state not including the second pointer coordinates, based on the layout information.

[0023] The display control unit 16 displays the display screen on the display 3 based on display screen data including a plurality of medical information screen data laid out according to the layout information and a second pointer drawn according to the second pointer coordinates (global coordinates). Here, the display screen has the first pointer and the second pointer drawn since the first pointer is drawn in any of the medical information screen data. However, this is not limited to this, and the display control unit 16 may end drawing of the second pointer when the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates are approximately equal. Also, the display control unit 16 may draw the second pointer having a size different from that of the first pointer and a shape similar to that of the first pointer. Also, the display control unit 16 may draw the second pointer having a color different from that of the first pointer. That is, the first pointer and the second pointer may have similar shapes with different sizes. Also, the first pointer and the second pointer may have different colors. Also, the first pointer and the second pointer may have similar shapes with different sizes and colors.

[0024] The difference calculation unit 17 calculates the difference between the first pointer coordinates (local coordinates) identified by the mouse pointer detection unit 13 and the second pointer coordinates (local coordinates) converted by the layout management unit 15.

[0025] The feedback calculation unit 18 calculates the amount of feedback based on the difference so as to make the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates approximately coincident. For example, the feedback calculation unit 18 calculates the amount of feedback based on the previous difference and the ratio between the previous input mouse movement amount and the previous output mouse movement amount so as to make the difference approach zero. The amount of feedback is the ratio of the movement amounts for making the difference approach zero.

[0026] The switching output unit 19 adjusts the pointer movement signal sent by the layout management unit 15 based on the feedback amount calculated by the feedback calculation unit 18, and outputs the adjusted pointer movement signal to any one of the external devices 2. For example, the switching output unit 19 adjusts the pointer movement signal so that the first pointer coordinates are approximately equal to the second pointer coordinates, and outputs the adjusted pointer movement signal. For example, the switching output unit 19 may start outputting the pointer movement signal in response to a click operation signal. For example, when the switching output unit 19 detects a click within a layout boundary in the display screen of the display 3, it may start outputting a pointer movement signal to the external device 2 assigned to that layout. The difference calculation unit 17, the feedback calculation unit 18, and the switching output unit 19 are examples of output units that output a pointer movement signal based on a pointer operation signal so that the first pointer coordinates are approximately equal to the second pointer coordinates. The difference calculation unit 17, the feedback calculation unit 18, and the switching output unit 19 are an example of an output unit that outputs a pointer movement signal so that the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates of the converted local coordinates are approximately matched. Here, "approximately matched" means a state in which the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates are matched within a reference range. The state in which the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates are matched within a reference range corresponds to, for example, a case in which the distance between the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates is not limited to zero, but is close enough that at least a part of the first pointer and the second pointer are displayed superimposed. The switching output unit 19 is an example of an output unit that starts outputting a pointer movement signal in response to a click operation signal.

[0027] Next, the operation of the medical information processing system including the medical information display control device configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3, the schematic diagrams in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the flowchart in Fig. 6, and the schematic diagrams in Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. Note that, for ease of understanding, pointer coordinates are illustrated in Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, but the pointer coordinates are not displayed on the display 3. However, this is not limiting, and the pointer coordinates may be displayed on the display 3. This also applies to the following embodiments.

[0028] Now, it is assumed that the plurality of external devices 2a to 2c are displaying medical information screens while transmitting medical information screen data to the compositor 10. In this state, step ST1 is started as shown in FIG.

[0029] In step ST1, the display control unit 16 of the compositor 10 controls the display 3 to display a second pointer on the display screen on which a plurality of medical information screen data are laid out. As a result, the display 3 displays the second pointer P2 at a position indicated by the second pointer coordinates (1052, 384) on the display screen on which a plurality of medical information screen data received from the external devices 2a to 2c are laid out, as shown in Fig. 4, for example. Note that the second pointer coordinates are illustrated for ease of understanding, but are not displayed on the display 3.

[0030] In step ST2, the switching output unit 19 of the compositor 10 judges whether or not a click operation signal received by the mouse input unit 11 has been detected. If not, the process returns to step ST1, and the operations of steps ST1 to ST2 are repeated. On the other hand, when the click operation signal is detected as a result of the judgment in step ST2, the switching output unit 19 starts outputting a pointer movement signal in response to the click operation signal. For example, the display 3 displays the second pointer P2 at the position indicated by the second pointer coordinates (634, 302) as shown in FIG. 5(a). At this time, the switching output unit 19 starts outputting a pointer movement signal in response to the click operation signal to the external device 2a corresponding to the second pointer coordinates (634, 302). Upon receiving the pointer movement signal, the external device 2a draws the first pointer P1 on the medical information screen based on the pointer movement signal as shown in FIG. 5(b). The medical information screens displayed by each of the external devices 2a to 2c are displayed on the display 3 in real time.

[0031] After step ST2, in step ST3, the mouse input unit 11 receives a pointer movement signal corresponding to the operation of the mouse 1 by the user as a pointer operation signal (x, y movement amount).

[0032] In step ST4, the screen input unit 12 acquires from the external devices 2 a plurality of pieces of medical information screen data to be laid out as a display screen.

[0033] In step ST5, the mouse pointer detection unit 13 detects a first pointer P1 drawn on any one of the multiple medical information screen data, and identifies first pointer coordinates (local coordinates) indicating the position of the first pointer P1. For example, the mouse pointer detection unit 13 detects the first pointer P1 based on the change in the medical information screen data along the time series and the pointer operation signal received in step ST3. Specifically, the mouse pointer detection unit 13 detects, as the first pointer P1, an object that is highly correlated with the x, y movement amount indicated by the pointer operation signal among objects that move in the x, y directions along the time series in the medical information screen data. Thereafter, the mouse pointer detection unit 13 identifies the first pointer coordinates (local coordinates) indicating the position of the first pointer P1.

[0034] In step ST6, the mouse pointer coordinate calculation unit 14 calculates second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) indicating the position of the second pointer P2 drawn on the display screen, based on the pointer operation signal received in step ST3.

[0035] In step ST7, the display control unit 16 controls the display 3 to display the second pointer P2 on the display screen at the position indicated by the calculated second pointer coordinates (global coordinates).

[0036] In step ST8, the compositor 10 outputs a pointer movement signal based on the pointer operation signal so as to substantially match the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates, by the layout management unit 15, the difference calculation unit 17, the feedback calculation unit 18, and the switching output unit 19. Here, step ST8 includes steps ST8-1 to ST8-4, as shown in FIG.

[0037] In step ST8-1, the layout management unit 15 identifies the medical information screen including the second pointer P2 from the second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) calculated in step ST6 and the layout information stored in the layout management unit 15. The layout management unit 15 also converts the calculated second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) into local coordinates of the medical information screen including the second pointer P2. Note that step ST8-1 may be executed between steps ST6 and ST7.

[0038] In step ST8-2, the difference calculation unit 17 calculates the difference between the first pointer coordinates (local coordinates) identified in step ST5 and the second pointer coordinates (local coordinates) obtained in step ST8-1. For example, in the case of the display screen shown in FIG. 7(a), the difference calculation unit 17 calculates the difference (500, 152) between the first pointer coordinates (112, 230) indicating the position of the first pointer P1 after moving downward and to the left, and the second pointer coordinates (612, 382) indicating the position of the second pointer P2 after moving downward and to the left. In this figure, the first pointer P1 and the second pointer P2 before the movement are represented by white arrows, and the first pointer P1 and the second pointer P2 after the movement are represented by hatched arrows. In each of the following drawings, similar arrows are used to represent the pointers P1 and P2 before and after the movement.

[0039] In step ST8-3, the feedback calculation unit 18 calculates the amount of feedback based on the difference so as to make the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates approximately coincident. For example, the feedback calculation unit 18 calculates the amount of feedback intermittently. The feedback calculation unit 18 may start the intermittent calculation of the amount of feedback when it receives a difference by mouse operation. Alternatively, the feedback calculation unit 18 may always execute the intermittent calculation of the amount of feedback. In this example, the feedback calculation unit 18 starts the intermittent calculation of the amount of feedback when it receives a difference. Here, the feedback calculation unit 18 holds data related to the current calculation, and uses the held data for a new calculation after a time interval. That is, after an arbitrary time from the current calculation, the feedback calculation unit 18 uses data related to the previous calculation for the current calculation. Specifically, the feedback calculation unit 18 calculates the amount of feedback based on the previous difference and the ratio between the previous input mouse movement amount and the output mouse movement amount so as to bring the current difference closer to zero. The time interval for the calculation of the amount of feedback may be constant or may be indefinite. If the time interval is indefinite, the time interval may be changed according to the difference, for example, if the difference is large, calculations are performed at short intervals, and if the difference is small, calculations are performed at long intervals. The feedback amount is the ratio of the amount of movement required to bring the current difference closer to zero.

[0040] For example, if the difference D(xd, yd), the first pointer coordinates (x1, y1), and the second pointer coordinates (x2, y2) are taken at each fixed time interval, the difference D can be obtained as follows.

[0041] D = (x2, y2) - (x1, y1) =(x2-x1,y2-y1), =(xd,yd) Also, let (m1, m2) be a variable m proportional to the previous difference D. The variable m is a variable for bringing the current difference D closer to zero. When the previous difference D is zero, the variable m is zero.

[0042] In addition, the previous input mouse movement amount is (x_i, y_i) and the previous output mouse movement amount is (x_o, y_o). If the ratio between the previous input mouse movement amount and the previous output mouse movement amount is Rn=(x_r, y_r), the ratio Rn can be obtained as follows.

[0043] Rn = (x_r, y_r) x_r=(x_i+m1) / x_o (where x_i,x_o>0) y_r=(y_i+m2) / y_o (however, y_i,y_o>0) A supplementary note about the variable m. For example, if there is no variable m1, and the previous input mouse movement amount x_i in the x direction is 1 and the previous output mouse movement amount x_o is 0.5, the ratio Rn* is obtained as follows. The same applies to the y direction.

[0044] Rn*=x_i / x_o =1 / 0.5 =2 That is, when the first pointer P1 last moved only half the amount of movement of the mouse 1 the previous time, the ratio Rn* is doubled. However, without the variable m1, the ratio Rn* from the next time onwards will only make the previous input mouse movement amount x_i and the previous output mouse movement amount x_o 1:1, and will not be able to reduce the current difference D. Therefore, in order to reduce the current difference D, the variable m proportional to the previous difference D is included in the calculation of the ratio Rn.

[0045] When the mouse 1 is in a moving state, the adjusted pointer movement signal is obtained by multiplying the ratio Rn by the current input mouse movement amount (x_i, y_i). The adjusted pointer movement signal corresponds to the current output mouse movement amount (x_r·x_i, y_r·y_i). When the mouse 1 is in a stationary state and the previous input mouse movement amount is (0,0) and the previous output mouse movement amount is (0,0), the adjusted pointer movement amount may be the movement amount (m3, m4) based on the variable m. In other words, when the mouse 1 is in a stationary state, the current difference D may be brought closer to zero by the pointer movement signal adjusted to a predetermined movement amount (m3, m4). The pointer movement signal adjusted to the predetermined movement amount (m3, m4) corresponds to the current output mouse movement amount (m3, m4).

[0046] In step ST8-4, the switching output unit 19 adjusts the pointer movement signal sent by the layout management unit 15 based on the feedback amount, and outputs the adjusted pointer movement signal to the external device 2 that displays the medical information screen including the first pointer P1. For example, the switching output unit 19 adjusts the pointer movement signal so that the first pointer coordinates are approximately equal to the second pointer coordinates, and outputs the adjusted pointer movement signal to the external device 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b), the first pointer coordinates are updated from (112, 230) to (566, 281), and the second pointer coordinates are updated from (612, 382) to (580, 300), and the first pointer coordinates gradually approach the second pointer coordinates. Accordingly, a situation in which both pointers gradually approach each other is displayed on the display 3, such that the first pointer P1 moves significantly to the lower right and the second pointer P2 moves slightly to the upper left. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the first pointer coordinates (580, 300) match the second pointer coordinates (580, 300), and the display 3 displays a state in which the first pointer P1 overlaps the second pointer P2. FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen when a pointer movement signal adjusted to bring the first pointer coordinates closer to the second pointer coordinates and make them match is output. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, which will be described later, show an example of a display screen when a pointer movement signal adjusted to maintain the first pointer coordinates approximately matched with the second pointer coordinates is output. The first pointer P1 and the second pointer P2 have similar shapes with different sizes, and for example, the smaller first pointer P1 overlaps the larger second pointer P2, so that one is not hidden by the other. The size relationship between the two pointers may be reversed, and the smaller second pointer P2 may overlap the larger first pointer P1. In any case, step ST8-4 ends when the two pointer coordinates approximately match.

[0047] Thereafter, the first pointer P1 and the second pointer P2 are displayed so as to move integrally to the position indicated by the updated second pointer coordinates (350, 286) in response to the operation of the mouse 1, as shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0048] Assume that the updated second pointer coordinates (800, 215) reach the boundary of the layout as shown in Fig. 9(a). In this case, the layout management unit 15 controls the switching output unit 19 to stop outputting the pointer movement signal to the external device 2a corresponding to the medical information screen data that has changed from including the second pointer coordinates to not including the second pointer coordinates based on the layout information. The external device 2a stops receiving the pointer movement signal, and the movement of the first pointer P1 on the medical information screen stops.

[0049] Thereafter, the display control unit 16 controls the display 3 to display the second pointer P2 at the position indicated by the updated second pointer coordinates (937, 280), for example, as shown in Fig. 9(b). Furthermore, the display control unit 16 repeatedly executes steps ST3 to ST8 until the operation is ended by the user's ending operation (step ST9).

[0050] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the mouse input unit 11 receives a pointer operation signal corresponding to the operation of the mouse 1 by the user. The screen input unit 12 acquires a plurality of medical information screen data laid out as display screens from a plurality of external devices 2. The mouse pointer detection unit 13 detects a first pointer drawn on any of the plurality of medical information screen data, and specifies a first pointer coordinate indicating the position of the first pointer. The mouse pointer coordinate calculation unit 14 calculates a second pointer coordinate indicating the position of a second pointer drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal. The difference calculation unit 17, the feedback calculation unit 18, and the switching output unit 19 output a pointer movement signal based on the pointer operation signal so as to substantially match the first pointer coordinate and the second pointer coordinate. In this way, the configuration in which the first pointer coordinate indicating the first pointer drawn on any of the medical information screen data and the second pointer coordinate indicating the second pointer drawn on the display screen are matched can improve the operability of the pointer moving between a plurality of screens.

[0051] To supplement, in the conventional technology, when the mouse pointer is moved from one medical information screen to another and control of the mouse pointer is handed over to an external device of the destination medical information screen (jump in), the coordinates of the mouse pointer (drawn by the compositor) on the display screen before the jump in do not match the coordinates of the mouse pointer (drawn by the OS of the external device) after the jump in.

[0052] In contrast to this, according to the first embodiment, similarly, the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates do not match immediately after jumping in. However, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to instantly and automatically move the first pointer P1 on the medical information screen to the position of the second pointer P2 on the display screen by feedback control.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the conventional technology, the moving speed of the mouse pointer before jumping in with respect to a mouse operation differs from the moving speed of the mouse pointer after jumping in.

[0054] In contrast, according to the first embodiment, the pointer movement amount to the external device 2 is calculated based on the second pointer coordinates on the display screen, so the pointer movement speed in response to mouse operation does not change before and after jumping in. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the operability of the pointer moving between multiple screens.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the conventional technology, when returning control of the mouse pointer to the compositor again after jumping in (jumping out), an operation other than a normal mouse operation is required. In the case of the conventional technology, the compositor cannot detect the coordinates of the mouse pointer on the medical information screen after jumping in, so it cannot determine, for example, that jumping out will occur when the mouse pointer reaches the edge of the medical information screen. In contrast, according to the first embodiment, the first pointer coordinates on the medical information screen are detected, so it is possible to know that the first pointer has moved to the edge of the medical information screen. In addition, according to the first embodiment, a configuration in which the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates are approximately matched allows jumping out to be performed when the first pointer coordinates move outside the medical information screen.

[0056] According to the first embodiment, the screen input unit 12 acquires a plurality of medical information screen data from a plurality of external devices 2 individually. The switching output unit 19 outputs a pointer movement signal to one of the plurality of external devices 2. The layout management unit 15 controls the switching output unit 19 to stop outputting a pointer movement signal to the external device 2 corresponding to the medical information screen data that has changed from including the second pointer coordinates to not including the second pointer coordinates, based on the layout information indicating the layout of the plurality of medical information screen data. Therefore, in addition to the above-mentioned effect, it is possible to stop updating and displaying the first pointer P1 for the external device 2 corresponding to the medical information screen data that has changed from including the second pointer coordinates to not including the second pointer coordinates.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the mouse pointer detection unit 13 can detect the first pointer P1 based on the change in the medical information screen data along the time series and the pointer operation signal. In addition to the above-mentioned effects, for example, among the objects moving along the time series in the medical information screen data, an object having a high correlation with the pointer operation signal can be detected as the first pointer P1. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the first pointer P1 can be detected without using the shape data of the first pointer P1, so that the first pointer P1 of any shape can be detected.

[0058] According to the first embodiment, the first pointer coordinates are local coordinates indicating a position in the medical information screen data. The second pointer coordinates are global coordinates indicating a position on the display screen. The layout management unit 15 converts the second pointer coordinates, which are global coordinates, into local coordinates by associating each of the local coordinates of the multiple medical information screen data with the global coordinates of the display screen based on the layout information. The difference calculation unit 17, the feedback calculation unit 18, and the switching output unit 19 output a pointer movement signal so that the first pointer coordinates and the converted second pointer coordinates of the local coordinates are approximately the same. This makes it possible to obtain the above-mentioned effect even when the global coordinates and the local coordinates are different.

[0059] According to the first embodiment, the mouse input unit 11 receives a click operation signal in response to a click operation by the user. The switching output unit 19 starts outputting a pointer movement signal in response to the click operation signal. In addition to the above-mentioned effects, this makes it possible to prevent an operation from being started when the user does not intend it to be started.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the difference calculation unit 17, the feedback calculation unit 18, and the switching output unit 19 adjust the pointer movement signal so that the first pointer coordinates are substantially equal to the second pointer coordinates, and output the adjusted pointer movement signal. This makes it possible to adjust and output the pointer movement signal in addition to the effects described above.

[0061] According to the first embodiment, the first and second pointers have similar shapes but different sizes, and therefore, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, after the first and second pointer coordinates match, one pointer is not completely hidden by the other pointer, and both pointers can be visually recognized.

[0062] The above-described first embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0063] In the first embodiment, each of all the external devices 2 displays one medical information screen, but this is not limiting, and at least one external device 2 may display multiple medical information screens. Even in this modification, if the layout of the multiple medical information screens in the external device 2 and the layout within the display screen of the display 3 are approximately the same, the multiple screens of one external device 2 can be regarded as one screen, and the embodiment can be implemented in the same manner as the first embodiment.

[0064] On the other hand, a case where the layout of the multiple medical information screens in the external device 2 is different from the layout in the display screen of the display 3 will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 10(a), one external device 2a displays multiple medical information screens g1, g2 in an x ​​direction (horizontal direction). Also, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the display 3 displays multiple medical information screens g1, g2 of the external device 2a in a y direction (vertical direction). In this case, the layout information held by the layout management unit 15 indicates a situation where a first layout of the multiple medical information screens g1, g2 in at least one external device 2a among the multiple external devices 2 is different from a second layout of the multiple medical information screens g1, g2 in the display screen of the display 3. The switching output unit 19 outputs a pointer movement signal to the external device 2a among the multiple external devices 2 that displays the medical information screen g2 on which the first pointer P1 was detected. When the medical information screen g2 on which the first pointer P1 is detected is the second medical information screen of one external device 2a, the compositor 10 calculates the movement amount of the pointer based on the first layout. For example, the compositor 10 calculates the movement amount of the pointer so that when the first pointer P1 approaches the second pointer P2 along the y direction on the display screen of the display 3, the first pointer P1 is moved along the x direction on the medical information screen g2 of the external device 2a. FIG. 11(a) shows a state in which the first pointer P1 is moved in the x direction on the medical information screen g2 of the external device 2a, and FIG. 11(b) shows a state in which the first pointer P1 is moved in the y direction on the medical information screen g2 in the display screen of the display 3. After the first pointer P1 enters the medical information screen g1 of the second pointer, the first pointer P1 may be moved along the same direction between the display screen of the display 3 and the medical information screen g1 of the external device 2a.

[0065] First, when the compositor 10 specifies the first pointer coordinates (local coordinates) indicating the position of the detected first pointer P1, the compositor 10 specifies the first pointer coordinates as the local coordinates of the medical information screen g2 of the external device 2a based on the device-side layout information. Similarly, when the compositor 10 converts the second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) into the second pointer coordinates (local coordinates), the compositor 10 obtains the second pointer coordinates (local coordinates) as the local coordinates of the medical information screen g1 of the external device 2a based on the first layout. As a result, the compositor 10 calculates the movement amount of the pointer so that the difference between the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates becomes zero in the local coordinate system of the medical information screens g1 and g2 of the external device 2a. Therefore, in the external device 2a, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the first pointer P1 is displayed approaching the second pointer P2 along the x direction.

[0066] On the other hand, the display control unit 16 draws the first pointer P1 on the display screen so as to approach the second pointer P2 based on the difference between the first pointer coordinates and the converted second pointer coordinates of the local coordinates and the second layout. Specifically, for example, the display control unit 16 stops updating the display screen based on the medical information screen data acquired from the external device 2, and displays the display screen in a stationary state on the display 3. As a result, the first pointer P1 moving along the x direction on the medical information screen g2 of the external device 2a is not displayed on the display screen of the display 3. Thereafter, the display control unit 16 draws the first pointer P1 on the display screen in a stationary state while approaching the second pointer P2 along the y direction based on the second layout so as to set the absolute value of the difference to zero. Therefore, on the display 3, the first pointer P1 is displayed approaching the second pointer P2 along the y direction as shown in FIG. 11(b).

[0067] Therefore, according to this modified example, even if the layout of multiple medical information screens on one external device 2 differs from the layout within the display screen on the display 3, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0068] According to the first embodiment, the first pointer P1 and the second pointer P2 move together after the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates substantially match, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 16 displays a display screen on which the first pointer P1 and the second pointer P2 are drawn on the display 3. Here, when the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates substantially match, the display control unit 16 ends drawing the second pointer. As a result, after the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates substantially match, the second pointer P2 can be erased and only the remaining first pointer P1 can be moved.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the size of each medical information screen in the display screen and the moving speed of the pointer in each medical information screen are not particularly described, but are not limited thereto. For example, the display control unit 16 may control the moving speed of the second pointer P2 according to the size of the medical information screen on which the second pointer P2 is drawn. Specifically, for example, when the first medical information screen is relatively larger than the second medical information screen, the display control unit 16 may adjust the moving speed of the second pointer P2 in the second medical information screen to a speed slower than the moving speed of the second pointer P2 in the first medical information screen after the second pointer P2 in the first medical information screen moves into the second medical information screen. Here, the slow speed may be a predetermined slow speed, or may be a slow speed calculated based on the ratio of the size of the second medical information screen to the size of the first medical information screen. In any case, according to this modified example, when moving the second pointer P2 within a small medical information screen, the position of the second pointer P2 can be adjusted relatively easily.

[0070] In addition, in the first embodiment and each modification, the compositor 10 is realized by a hardware configuration, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the compositor 100 may be realized by a configuration in which hardware resources and software work together. That is, the compositor 100 has the same functions as the compositor 10 described in the first embodiment and each modification.

[0071] Here, the compositor 100 includes, as hardware resources, a memory 101, a mouse input interface 102, a screen input interface 103, a signal output interface 104, a screen output interface 105, and a processing circuit 110. The compositor 100 also includes various functions that are obtained by executing a program in the memory 101. The various functions include a reception function 111, an acquisition function 112, a mouse pointer detection function 113, a mouse pointer coordinate calculation function 114, a layout management function 115, a display control function 116, a difference calculation function 117, a feedback calculation function 118, and a switching output function 119.

[0072] The memory 101 is composed of memories for recording electrical information, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hardware Disk Drive), and an image memory, and peripheral circuits associated with these memories, such as a memory controller and a memory interface. The memory 101 stores various programs, such as a medical information control program for a compositor (medical information display control device), and various data, such as layout information, data in the middle of processing, and data after processing. The layout information is as described above.

[0073] The mouse input interface 102 is connected to the mouse 1 for inputting various instructions, commands, information, selections, and settings from an operator (user) to the compositor main body, and to the processing circuit 110. The mouse input interface 102 is an interface circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to the operation of the mouse 1 by the user, and outputs this electrical signal to the processing circuit 110.

[0074] The screen input interface 103 is connected to a plurality of external devices 2 and a processing circuit 110. The screen input interface 103 is an interface circuit that receives a plurality of pieces of medical information screen data individually from the plurality of external devices 2 and outputs each piece of medical information screen data to the processing circuit 110.

[0075] The signal output interface 104 is connected to any one of a plurality of external devices 2 and to the processing circuit 110. The signal output interface 104 is an interface circuit that outputs a pointer movement signal received from the processing circuit 110 to the connected external device 2.

[0076] The screen output interface 105 is an interface circuit that outputs display screen data received from the processing circuit 110 to the display 3. The display screen data may or may not include the second pointer P2.

[0077] The processing circuitry 110 reads out a program stored in the memory 101 based on an instruction input by a user via the mouse input interface 102, and controls the compositor 100 according to the program. For example, the processing circuitry 110 is a processor that realizes each function of the compositor 100 according to the program read out from the memory 101. The processing circuitry 110 executes a medical information control method according to the program read out from the memory 101. For example, the processing circuitry 110 executes a medical information control method including receiving a pointer operation signal according to an operation by a user, acquiring a plurality of medical information screen data laid out as a display screen, detecting a first pointer drawn on any of the plurality of medical information screen data, specifying a first pointer coordinate indicating the position of the first pointer, calculating a second pointer coordinate indicating the position of a second pointer drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal, and outputting a pointer movement signal based on the pointer operation signal so as to substantially match the first pointer coordinate and the second pointer coordinate. This program is, for example, installed in advance in the compositor 100 from a network or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and executed by a processor of the compositor 100 to cause the processor to realize each function of the compositor 100. Note that each function may be appropriately distributed and realized among a plurality of processors. Alternatively, each function or a part of each function may be appropriately executed by another device.

[0078] Next, the functions of the reception function 111, the acquisition function 112, the mouse pointer detection function 113, the mouse pointer coordinate calculation function 114, the layout management function 115, the display control function 116, the difference calculation function 117, the feedback calculation function 118, and the switching output function 119 will be described in order. However, the allocation of the functions described below is for convenience and can be changed as appropriate. This is because even if a process that is allocated to a certain function is allocated to another function, the processing circuit 110 still executes that process.

[0079] The reception function 111 receives a pointer operation signal corresponding to a user's operation of the mouse 1 via the mouse input interface 102. The reception function 111 and the mouse input interface 102 correspond to the mouse input unit 11 described above.

[0080] The acquisition function 112 acquires a plurality of pieces of medical information screen data to be laid out as a display screen from a plurality of external devices 2 via the screen input interface 103. The acquisition function 112 and the screen input interface 103 correspond to the screen input unit 12 described above.

[0081] The mouse pointer detection function 113 detects a first pointer drawn on any one of the multiple medical information screen data, and identifies the first pointer coordinates indicating the position of the first pointer. The mouse pointer detection function 113 corresponds to the mouse pointer detection unit 13 described above.

[0082] The mouse pointer coordinate calculation function 114 calculates second pointer coordinates indicating the position of the second pointer drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal. The mouse pointer coordinate calculation function 114 corresponds to the mouse pointer coordinate calculation unit 14 described above.

[0083] The layout management function 115 identifies the medical information screen including the second pointer from the second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) calculated by the mouse pointer coordinate calculation function 114 and the layout information in the memory 101. The layout management function 115 also converts the calculated second pointer coordinates (global coordinates) into local coordinates of the medical information screen including the second pointer. The layout management function 115 also sends pointer movement information corresponding to the pointer operation signal to the switching output function 119. The layout management function 115 and the memory 101 correspond to the layout management unit 15 described above.

[0084] The display control function 116 displays a display screen on the display 3 via the screen output interface 105 based on display screen data including a plurality of medical information screen data laid out according to the layout information and a second pointer drawn according to second pointer coordinates (global coordinates). The display control function 116 and the screen output interface 105 correspond to the display control unit 16 described above.

[0085] The difference calculation function 117 calculates the difference between the first pointer coordinates (local coordinates) identified by the mouse pointer detection function 113 and the second pointer coordinates (local coordinates) converted by the layout management function 115. The difference calculation function 117 corresponds to the difference calculation unit 17 described above.

[0086] The feedback calculation function 118 calculates a feedback amount so as to make the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates approximately coincident with each other, based on the difference calculated by the difference calculation function 117. The feedback calculation function 118 corresponds to the feedback calculation unit 18 described above.

[0087] The switching output function 119 adjusts the pointer movement information sent by the layout management function 115 based on the feedback amount calculated by the feedback calculation function 118. The switching output function 119 outputs a pointer movement signal corresponding to the adjusted pointer movement information to any one of the external devices 2 via the signal output interface 104. The switching output function 119 corresponds to the switching output unit 19 described above.

[0088] Therefore, according to the modification shown in FIG. 13, even if the compositor 100 is realized by a configuration in which hardware resources and software work together, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment and each of the modifications.

[0089] <Second embodiment> Next, an X-ray diagnostic system according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the following description, elements that are substantially the same as those in the above-mentioned drawings are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different elements will be mainly described.

[0090] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment which is realized by the compositors 10 and 100, in that the second embodiment is realized by an X-ray diagnostic system 200 as shown in FIG.

[0091] Accordingly, the X-ray diagnostic system 200 includes a display 3, an angiogantry 210, a bed device 230, and a console device 250. The console device 250 includes the above-mentioned processing circuit 110, and is connected to a plurality of external devices 2.

[0092] Here, the external device 2 and the display 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the processing circuit 110 is the same as that in the modified example of the first embodiment.

[0093] The angiogantry 210 includes a C-arm having an X-ray tube at one end and an X-ray detector at the other end, a holder for holding the C-arm, and a support arm for holding the holder at its tip. The support arm has a generally arc shape, and its base end is attached to a moving mechanism for a rail provided on the ceiling. The angiogantry 210 is controlled by the console device 250, irradiates an object placed on the top plate of the bed device 230 with X-rays from the X-ray tube, detects the X-rays that have passed through the object with the X-ray detector, and outputs the detection result to the console device 250.

[0094] The bed device 230 has a top plate on which a subject is placed. The top plate is held so as to be movable along the long axis direction or the short axis direction of the top plate, and is also held so as to be rotatable around an axis in the long axis direction of the top plate.

[0095] The console device 250 controls the angiogram 210 and the bed device 230, and generates and stores an X-ray image of the subject based on the detection result sent from the angiogram 210. Such a console device 250 has a general configuration including a memory, an input interface including a mouse, an output interface, a display, an image processing circuit, and a system control circuit. In addition, the console device 250 has the above-mentioned processing circuit 110. As described above, the processing circuit 110 realizes each function by executing a program in the memory. The functions are the above-mentioned reception function 111, acquisition function 112, mouse pointer detection function 113, mouse pointer coordinate calculation function 114, layout management function 115, display control function 116, difference calculation function 117, feedback calculation function 118, and switching output function 119. Details of each function are as described above.

[0096] The other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0097] Next, according to the above-mentioned configuration, in the X-ray diagnosis system 200, the processing circuit 110 in the console device 250 receives a pointer operation signal corresponding to an operation by a user. The processing circuit 110 also acquires a plurality of medical information screen data to be laid out as a display screen from the external device 2. The processing circuit 110 detects a first pointer P1 drawn on any of the plurality of medical information screen data, and specifies a first pointer coordinate indicating the position of the first pointer P1. The processing circuit 110 calculates a second pointer coordinate indicating the position of a second pointer P2 drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal. The processing circuit 110 outputs a pointer movement signal based on the pointer operation signal to any of the external devices 2 that draw the first pointer P1, so as to make the first pointer coordinate and the second pointer coordinate approximately coincident.

[0098] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in the X-ray diagnostic system 200, the processing circuit 110 in the console device 250 operates in the same manner as the compositors 10, 100 described above, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, in the X-ray diagnosis system 200, for example, it is possible to improve the operability of a pointer that moves among a plurality of screens including X-ray images.

[0100] In the second embodiment, the console device 250 includes the processing circuit 110 of the compositor 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the console device 250 may include a compositor 10 instead of the processing circuit 110 of the compositor 100. Even with such a modification, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0101] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the following description will be given taking the case where the present invention is applied to the medical information display control device of the first embodiment as an example, but is not limited thereto and may be applied to the X-ray diagnosis system of the second embodiment.

[0102] The third embodiment is configured to operate when the second pointer reaches the vicinity of the boundary within the medical information screen, instead of when a click operation signal is received.

[0103] Here, the vicinity of the boundary is a vicinity area of ​​the adjacent sides among the four sides of a plurality of medical information screens adjacent to each other, as shown in an example in Fig. 15. For example, the medical information screen displayed by the external device 2a includes the boundary vicinity 2a_i on two sides adjacent to the medical information screens displayed by the external devices 2b and 2c. Similarly, the medical information screen displayed by the external device 2b includes the boundary vicinity 2b_i on two sides adjacent to the medical information screens displayed by the external devices 2a and 2c. Similarly, the medical information screen displayed by the external device 2c includes the boundary vicinity 2c_i on two sides adjacent to the medical information screens displayed by the external devices 2a and 2b.

[0104] Specific regions of the boundary vicinities 2a_i, 2b_i, and 2c_i are set in the layout information using global coordinates, as shown in an example in Fig. 15. The setting using global coordinates may be performed by inputting coordinate values ​​of the global coordinates in advance to the layout management unit 15. The setting using global coordinates may also be performed by inputting a certain pixel range in advance to the layout management unit 15, and the layout management unit 15 may convert the pixel range into global coordinates and set the obtained coordinate values.

[0105] Accordingly, the switching output unit 19 starts outputting a pointer movement signal when the second pointer coordinates included in any of the medical information screen data reach the vicinity of the boundary of the medical information screen data based on the layout information indicating the layout of the medical information screen data. For example, the switching output unit 19 starts outputting a pointer movement signal to the external device 2a when the second pointer coordinates in the medical information screen of the external device 2c move and reach the vicinity of the boundary 2a_i in the medical information screen of the external device 2a.

[0106] The other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0107] Next, the operation of the medical information processing system including the medical information display control device configured as above will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 16 and the schematic diagram of FIG.

[0108] First, as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17(a), step ST1 is executed in the same manner as described above.

[0109] In step ST1, the display control unit 16 of the compositor 10 controls the display 3 to display a second pointer on the display screen on which a plurality of medical information screen data are laid out. As a result, the display 3 displays the second pointer P2 at the position indicated by the second pointer coordinates (1052, 384) on the display screen on which a plurality of medical information screen data received from the external devices 2a to 2c are laid out.

[0110] In step ST2A, the switching output unit 19 of the compositor 10 judges whether or not the second pointer coordinates have reached the vicinity of the boundary of the medical information screen data based on the layout information. If not, the process returns to step ST1, and the operations of steps ST1 to ST2 are repeated. On the other hand, when the result of the judgment in step ST2A is that the second pointer coordinates have reached the vicinity of the boundary, the switching output unit 19 starts outputting a pointer movement signal in response to the arrival of the vicinity of the boundary. For example, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the display 3 assumes that the second pointer coordinates (820, 330) of the second pointer P2 has reached the vicinity of the boundary 2c_i. At this time, in response to the arrival of the vicinity of the boundary 2c_i, the switching output unit 19 starts outputting a pointer movement signal to the external device 2a corresponding to the destination of the second pointer coordinates (820, 330). When the external device 2a receives the pointer movement signal, it draws the first pointer P1 on the medical information screen based on the pointer movement signal, as shown in FIG. 17(c). The medical information screens displayed by the external devices 2a to 2c are displayed on the display 3 in real time.

[0111] After step ST2A, the processes from step ST3 onwards are executed in the same manner as described above.

[0112] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the switching output unit 19 starts outputting a pointer movement signal when the second pointer coordinates included in any one of the medical information screen data reach the boundary vicinity 2c_i of the medical information screen data based on the layout information indicating the layout of the medical information screen data. This makes it possible to start outputting a pointer movement signal to the external device 2a corresponding to the destination of the second pointer P2, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, without the user performing a jump-in operation such as a click operation.

[0113] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to improve the operability of a pointer moving among a plurality of screens.

[0114] The term "processor" used in the above description means a circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The processor realizes its function by reading and executing a program stored in a memory. Note that instead of storing a program in a memory, the processor may be configured to directly incorporate the program in its circuit. In this case, the processor realizes its function by reading and executing the program incorporated in its circuit. Note that each processor in this embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, and may be configured as a single processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize its function. Furthermore, multiple components in FIG. 1, FIG. 13, or FIG. 14 may be integrated into a single processor to realize its function.

[0115] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1 Mouse 2,2a~2c External equipment 2a_i~2c_i Near the boundary 3. Display 10,100 Compositor 11 Mouse input section 12 Screen input section 13 Mouse pointer detector 14 Mouse pointer coordinate calculation section 15 Layout Management Section 16 Display control section 17 Difference calculation part 18 Feedback Calculation Unit 19 Switching output section 101 Memory 102 Mouse Input Interface 103 Screen Input Interface 104 Signal Output Interface 105 Screen Output Interface 110 Processing circuit 111 Reception function 112 Acquisition Function 113 Mouse Pointer Detection Function 114 Mouse pointer coordinate calculation function 115 Layout Management Function 116 Display control function 117 Difference calculation function 118 Feedback Calculation Function 119 Switching output function P1 First pointer P2 Second pointer

Claims

1. a reception unit that receives a pointer operation signal corresponding to an operation by a user; an acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of pieces of medical information screen data to be laid out as a display screen; a detection unit that detects a first pointer drawn on any one of the plurality of medical information screen data and identifies first pointer coordinates indicating a position of the first pointer; a calculation unit that calculates second pointer coordinates indicating a position of a second pointer to be drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal; an output unit that outputs a pointer movement signal based on the pointer operation signal so as to cause the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates to substantially coincide with each other; A medical information display control device comprising:

2. A layout management unit, The acquisition unit acquires the plurality of medical information screen data individually from a plurality of medical devices, The output unit outputs the pointer movement signal to any one of the plurality of medical devices, the layout management unit controls the output unit to stop outputting the pointer movement signal to a medical device corresponding to the medical information screen data that has changed from a state including the second pointer coordinates to a state not including the second pointer coordinates, based on layout information indicating the layout of the plurality of medical information screen data. The medical information display control device according to claim 1 .

3. the detection unit detects the first pointer based on a change in the medical information screen data along a time series and the pointer operation signal; The medical information display control device according to claim 1 .

4. a display control unit that displays the display screen on which the first pointer and the second pointer are drawn on a display, The medical information display control device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit terminates drawing of the second pointer when the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates substantially match.

5. A layout management unit, the first pointer coordinates are local coordinates indicating a position in the medical information screen data, the second pointer coordinates are global coordinates indicating a position on the display screen, the layout management unit converts second pointer coordinates, which are global coordinates, into the local coordinates by associating local coordinates of each of the medical information screen data with global coordinates of the display screen based on layout information indicating the layout of the medical information screen data; the output unit outputs the pointer movement signal so as to cause the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates of the converted local coordinates to substantially coincide with each other. The medical information display control device according to claim 1 .

6. a display control unit that displays the display screen on which the first pointer and the second pointer are drawn on a display, The acquisition unit acquires the plurality of medical information screen data individually from a plurality of medical devices, the layout information indicates a situation in which a first layout of a plurality of medical information screens in at least one of the plurality of medical devices is different from a second layout of a plurality of medical information screens in a display screen of the display; 6. The medical information display control device according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit draws the first pointer on the display screen so as to approach the second pointer based on the difference between the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates of the converted local coordinates and the second layout.

7. The reception unit receives a click operation signal corresponding to a click operation by the user. the output unit starts outputting the pointer movement signal in response to the click operation signal. The medical information display control device according to claim 1 .

8. the output unit starts outputting the pointer movement signal when the second pointer coordinates included in any one of the plurality of medical information screen data reach a vicinity of a boundary of the medical information screen data based on layout information indicating the layout of the plurality of medical information screen data. The medical information display control device according to claim 1 .

9. the output unit adjusts the pointer movement signal so that the first pointer coordinates are substantially equal to the second pointer coordinates, and outputs the adjusted pointer movement signal. The medical information display control device according to claim 1 .

10. The medical information display control device according to claim 1 , wherein the first pointer and the second pointer have similar shapes but different sizes.

11. a display control unit that displays the display screen on which the first pointer and the second pointer are drawn on a display, 2. The medical information display control device according to claim 1, wherein, when a first medical information screen is relatively larger than a second medical information screen, after the second pointer in the first medical information screen moves into the second medical information screen, the display control unit adjusts the movement speed of the second pointer in the second medical information screen to a speed slower than the movement speed of the second pointer in the first medical information screen.

12. receiving a pointer operation signal corresponding to an operation by a user; acquiring a plurality of medical information screen data to be laid out as a display screen; detecting a first pointer drawn on any one of the plurality of medical information screen data, and identifying first pointer coordinates indicating a position of the first pointer; calculating second pointer coordinates indicating a position of a second pointer to be drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal; outputting a pointer movement signal based on the pointer operation signal so as to cause the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates to substantially coincide with each other; A medical information control method comprising:

13. a receiving unit that receives a pointer operation signal corresponding to an operation by a user; an acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of medical information screen data to be laid out as a display screen; a detection unit that detects a first pointer drawn on any one of the plurality of medical information screen data and identifies first pointer coordinates indicating a position of the first pointer; a calculation unit that calculates second pointer coordinates indicating a position of a second pointer to be drawn on the display screen based on the pointer operation signal; an output unit that outputs a pointer movement signal based on the pointer operation signal so as to cause the first pointer coordinates and the second pointer coordinates to substantially coincide with each other; An X-ray diagnostic system comprising:

Images