Slide scanning device having door configured to include display

Abstract

The purpose of an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a slide scanning device comprising: a memory; at least one processor which executes one or more instructions stored in the memory; and a door which includes a display, wherein the at least one processor identifies a door state including at least one of a closed state of the door, an opened state of the door, and a fully opened state of the door, and on the basis of the door state, controls the display to output a user interface (UI) corresponding to the door state.

Description

A slide scanning device configured such that the door includes a display

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a slide scanning device. More particularly, it relates to a slide scanning device in which a door is configured to include a display.

[0002] Pathology provides a foundation for clinical treatment by observing and analyzing morphological changes in a patient's cells, tissues, and tissue fluids to make diagnoses. Traditionally, pathologists performed cytology or tissue biopsies using a microscope to read and diagnose patient slides of cells or tissues. However, with the recent introduction of digital slide scanners, pathology diagnoses are now performed using digital images of scanned cell or tissue stained slides, in addition to microscopic pathology diagnoses.

[0003] Slides containing patient specimens are accommodated in a tray, the slide tray is accommodated in a slide tray slot, the slide tray accommodated in the slide tray slot is scanned by a digital slide scanner or the like, and as the scan is performed, information on the slides accommodated in the slide tray is acquired, so that a pathological diagnosis can be performed.

[0004] Accordingly, it is important to be able to acquire scan information of multiple slides in a short period of time, and to provide the scan information in a way that is convenient for users to identify. Accordingly, existing slide scanning devices provide scan information of slides by connecting a separate monitor to the outside of the slide scanning device, or the display screen and the slide insertion unit are located in separate locations. However, if the monitor is provided separately or the display screen and the slide insertion unit are located separately, it is impossible to miniaturize the slide scanning device, which causes inconvenience in moving or installing the scanning device. Therefore, there is a need for a miniaturized slide scanning device.

[0005]

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a slide scanning device configured such that the door includes a display.

[0007]

[0008] The present disclosure seeks to provide a slide scanning device in which a door is configured to include a display such as a monitor.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure for achieving the above technical task, a slide scanning device may include a memory; at least one processor for executing one or more instructions stored in the memory; and a door including a display. In one embodiment, the at least one processor may identify a door state including at least one of a closed state of the door, an open state of the door, and a fully opened state of the door, and control the display to output a user interface (UI) corresponding to the state of the door based on the state of the door.

[0010] In one embodiment, the door may be installed to be slidable.

[0011] In one embodiment, the door includes a slide tray slot, and when the door is fully open, a slide tray can be extracted or inserted into the slide tray slot.

[0012] In one embodiment, the slide scan device further includes a first door damper, a second door damper, a first door lock, and a second door lock, wherein the door can be fixed by the first door damper and the first door lock when the door is in a closed state, and can be fixed by the second door damper and the second door lock when the door is in a fully open state.

[0013] In one embodiment, the display includes a touch panel, and the at least one processor can prevent user input from touching a specific area of ​​the display when the door is in an open state or when the door is in a fully open state.

[0014] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device includes a slide tray slot, and a user interface corresponding to a state of the door includes a first GUI for one or more slide trays positioned in the slide tray slot and a second GUI for one or more slides positioned in one slide tray, and the first GUI and the second GUI may include one or more GUIs capable of acquiring a touch input for the corresponding GUI when the door is in a closed state, and may be provided so that a touch input for the corresponding GUI cannot be acquired when the door is in at least one of an open state and a fully opened state.

[0015] In one embodiment, the door may further include a bracket for supporting the display.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one processor can control the display to provide either a UI for opening the door or a UI for closing the door.

[0017] In one embodiment, the slide scan device further includes a door lock device, and the at least one processor can control the door lock device to unlock the door lock device when obtaining a user input for either a UI for opening the door or a UI for closing the door.

[0018] In one embodiment, the slide scan device may further include at least one of a hole for forced unlocking and a hole for forced fixing.

[0019] In one embodiment, the slide scan device may further include a locking device including a solenoid switch.

[0020] In one embodiment, the slide scan device can unlock the door when the first operating bar rotates in the first direction due to an external force applied through the lock release hole.

[0021] In one embodiment, the slide scan device can unlock the door when the second operating bar rotates in the second direction due to an external force applied through the fixed force release hole.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first GUI is formed to correspond to the arrangement of a plurality of slide tray storage portions in the slide tray slot, and includes a GUI indicating whether a slide tray is inserted into each of the plurality of slide tray storage portions, and in the first GUI, a GUI related to a slide tray output through the second GUI may be formed larger than a GUI related to another slide tray.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first GUI may include a GUI that indicates at least one of position information of one or more slide trays inserted into the slide tray slot in the slide tray slot, slide tray scan progress information for at least a portion of the one or more slide trays, slide tray absence information, slot identification information, slide tray storage unit identification information, and identification information of the one or more slide trays, and the second GUI may include a GUI that indicates at least one of position information of the one or more slides in the slide tray, slide scan progress information for at least a portion of the one or more slides, specimen information of the one or more slides, code information of the one or more slides, slide tray identification information, and identification information of the one or more slides.

[0024] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device may further include a preview camera for obtaining a preview image of a slide tray; a scan camera for obtaining a slide scan image; and a slide tray stage for transporting the slide tray.

[0025] In one embodiment, the at least one processor may obtain the preview image for the slide tray, recognize information about the slide tray, the slide, or the pathology sample from the preview image, obtain the slide scan image based on the information about the slide tray, the slide, or the pathology sample, and store the slide scan image in association with the information about the slide tray, the slide, or the pathology sample.

[0026] In one embodiment, the information about the slide tray may include whether the slide tray is present on the slide tray stage, identification information about the slide tray, direction information about the slide tray, or identification information about each receiving portion of the slide tray.

[0027] In one embodiment, the information about the slides may include information about whether a slide is present in each slide receptacle, whether a slide in each slide receptacle is broken, whether a slide is properly positioned in each slide receptacle, or a region of interest within the slide where a pathology sample is present.

[0028] In one embodiment, the information about the pathology sample may include the specimen site of the pathology sample, the time of specimen collection, whether or not it is stained, the name of the staining reagent, or patient information corresponding to the pathology sample.

[0029] In one embodiment, the patient information corresponding to the pathology sample may include the patient name, patient age, patient's resident registration number, patient number, patient's department, or patient's disease name.

[0030] In one embodiment, information about the pathology sample can be obtained by recognizing letters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, or QR codes written in the information section of each slide.

[0031] In one embodiment, information about the slide tray, slide, or pathology sample can be provided to the user along with the preview image, a selection regarding a slide scan can be input from the user, and a slide scan image can be acquired based on the user's input.

[0032] In one embodiment, the information about the pathology sample may include information about the priority, scan resolution, scan area, or scan method of the pathology sample.

[0033] In one embodiment, the slide tray stage includes a mark at a predetermined location, and when the slide tray is received on the slide tray stage, the mark can be obscured.

[0034] In one embodiment, the slide scan image can be transmitted to an external device based on information about the slide tray, slide, or pathology sample.

[0035] In one embodiment, a slide scanning method may include: obtaining a preview image for a slide tray; recognizing information about a slide tray, a slide, or a pathology sample from the preview image; obtaining the slide scan image based on the information about the slide tray, the slide, or the pathology sample; and storing the slide scan image in association with the information about the slide tray, the slide, or the pathology sample.

[0036] In one embodiment, the information about the slide tray may include whether the slide tray is present on the slide tray stage, identification information about the slide tray, direction information about the slide tray, or identification information about each receptacle of the slide tray.

[0037] In one embodiment, the information about the slides may include information about whether a slide is present in each slide receptacle, whether a slide in each slide receptacle is broken, whether a slide is properly positioned in each slide receptacle, or a region of interest within the slide where a pathology sample is present.

[0038] In one embodiment, the information about the pathology sample may include the specimen site of the pathology sample, the time of specimen collection, whether or not it is stained, the name of the staining reagent, or patient information corresponding to the pathology sample.

[0039] In one embodiment, the patient information corresponding to the pathology sample may include the patient name, patient age, patient's resident registration number, patient number, patient's department, or patient's disease name.

[0040] In one embodiment, information about the pathology sample can be obtained by recognizing letters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, or QR codes written in the information section of each slide.

[0041] In one embodiment, the method further comprises: providing information about the slide tray, slide, or pathology sample to the user along with the preview image; and receiving a selection regarding a slide scan from the user; wherein the step of acquiring the slide scan image based on the information about the slide tray, slide, or pathology sample may be performed based on an input from the user.

[0042] In one embodiment, the information about the pathology sample may include information about the priority, scan resolution, scan area, or scan method of the pathology sample.

[0043] In one embodiment, the slide tray stage includes a mark at a predetermined location, and when the slide tray is received on the slide tray stage, the mark can be obscured.

[0044] In one embodiment, the method may further include the step of transmitting the slide scan image to an external device based on information about the slide tray, slide, or pathology sample.

[0045] In one embodiment, the method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a program stored on a recording medium to cause a computer to execute the method.

[0046] In one embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium is provided having recorded thereon a program for executing a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure on a computer.

[0047] In one embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium is included that records a database used in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048]

[0049] One embodiment of the present disclosure can provide a miniaturized slide scanning device in which a monitor (i.e., a display screen portion) is integrally mounted with a door of the slide scanning device.

[0050] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device that can open or close the door of a slide scanning device in an emergency, so that a slide tray inside the slide scanning device can be extracted or inserted even in an emergency such as a power outage.

[0051] One embodiment of the present disclosure can increase the stability of the operation of a slide scan device by controlling it not to receive a touch input when the door is in an open state.

[0052] One embodiment of the present disclosure can optimize image scanning by collecting information about the slide(s) prior to image scanning of the pathology sample.

[0053] One embodiment of the present disclosure can efficiently collect information about a pathology sample from a slide(s).

[0054] One embodiment of the present disclosure can use a preview image for a slide tray to check the status of a slide and / or a slide scanning device.

[0055]

[0056] In addition to the above, the specific effects of the present disclosure are described together with the specific matters for carrying out the disclosure below.

[0057]

[0058] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are exemplary diagrams of a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded views of a closed state of a door of a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are drawings illustrating a method for forcibly unlocking a door in an emergency according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a fully open state of a door of a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b are drawings showing a method for forcibly releasing the fixing of a door in an emergency according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the UI / UX of a door closed state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the UI / UX of an open state of a door according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the UI / UX of a fully open door state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a slide tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a slide according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a slide scanning method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072]

[0073] To clarify the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In describing the present disclosure, if a detailed description of a related known function or component is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted. Components having substantially the same functional configuration among the drawings are given the same reference numbers and symbols as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. For convenience of explanation, devices and methods are described together when necessary. Each operation of the present disclosure does not necessarily have to be performed in the described order and may be performed in parallel, selectively, or individually.

[0074] The terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure have been selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of the present disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant embodiments. Therefore, the terms used in this specification should not be defined simply as names of terms, but rather based on their meanings and the overall content of the present disclosure.

[0075] Throughout this disclosure, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms such as "comprise" or "have" should be understood to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. In other words, when it is said throughout this disclosure that a part "comprises" a certain component, unless specifically stated otherwise, this does not mean that other components may be included, but rather that other components may be excluded.

[0076] Expressions such as "at least one" modify the entire list of elements, not individual elements of the list. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" and "at least one of A, B, or C" refer to only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both B and C, both A and C, all of A, B, and C, or any combination thereof.

[0077] In addition, terms such as “..unit”, “..module”, etc. described in the present disclosure mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0078] Throughout this disclosure, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where the parts are "directly connected," but also cases where the parts are "electrically connected" with other elements intervening. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather includes other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0079] The expression "configured to" as used throughout this disclosure can be used interchangeably with, for example, "suitable for," "having the capacity to," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term "configured to" does not necessarily mean something is "specifically designed to" in hardware. Instead, in some contexts, the expression "a system configured to" can mean that the system is "capable of" in conjunction with other devices or components. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to perform A, B, and C" can mean a dedicated processor for performing the operations (e.g., an embedded processor), or a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that can perform the operations by executing one or more software programs stored in memory.

[0080] Throughout this disclosure, a slide is a thin, flat piece of glass used to hold a specimen, and may include a slide glass, a glass slide, a specimen slide, a microscope slide, a slide glass with a specimen placed on it and then covered with a cover glass, etc. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above examples.

[0081] Throughout this disclosure, a slide tray is a case for transporting or storing slides, and may also be referred to as a tray, glass plate, slide plate, slide holder, glass holder, slide case, glass case, slide folder, glass folder, etc.

[0082] Throughout the present disclosure, a slide tray slot is a device for storing slide trays, and may also be referred to as a cabinet for storing slide trays, a slide tray cabinet, a slide tray storage cabinet, a slide tray rack, etc.

[0083] The term "sample" as used herein is used interchangeably with "sample" and can include anything known in the art to be observable with optical or light microscopes. For example, a "sample" can include, but is not limited to, cells or tissues (e.g., cells or tissues of animals, plants, fungi, protozoa, bacteria, etc. - including both normal and pathological cells / tissues), cell components (e.g., nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria, etc.), microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, protozoa, some algae, and fungi, etc.), organoids, etc.

[0084] The term "about" as used herein means within 10%, preferably within 5%, and more preferably within 1% of a given value or range.

[0085] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are exemplary diagrams of a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the slide scan device (100) may include a door (110) that is slidably installed. In one embodiment, the door (110) may include a display (120) and a handle (130). For example, the display (120) may include a touch monitor or a touch screen. Additionally, the display (120) may be fixed to a bracket and function as a door.

[0087] In one embodiment, the information displayed on the display (120) may be designed to vary depending on whether the door (110) is fully open, open, or closed. That is, the slide scanning device (100) may identify at least one of the closed, open, and fully open states of the door (110), and control the display (120) to output a user interface (UI) corresponding to the state of the door based on the state of the door. For example, when the door (110) is open or fully open, the slide trays may be exposed to the outside or safety may not be guaranteed due to movement of the equipment, so the scanning operation of the slide scanning device may be controlled to be impossible. Accordingly, when the door (110) is open or fully open, information indicating that the scanning process of the slide is impossible due to the open state of the door may be displayed on the display (120).

[0088] According to one embodiment, unlike conventional equipment that required a large installation space by providing scan information of slides on a separate monitor, a slide scanning device that can be miniaturized by having the monitor integrated into the form of a door can be provided.

[0089] FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded views of a closed state of a door of a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the slide scan device (100) may include a first door damper (210), a second door damper (220), a display (120), a bracket (230) for supporting the display, a first door lock (240), a second door lock (250), a hole for forced lock release (260), a hole for forced fixation release (270), etc. However, not all of the components illustrated in FIG. 2A are essential components of the slide scan device (100). The slide scan device (100) may be implemented with more components than the components illustrated in FIG. 2A, or may be implemented with fewer components than the components illustrated in FIG. 2A.

[0091] In one embodiment, the case where the bracket (230) catches the first door damper (210) may be defined as the closed state of the door, the case where the bracket (230) catches the second door damper (220) may be defined as the fully open state of the door, and the case where the bracket (230) is positioned in a section between the closed state and the fully open state may be defined as the open state of the door. Accordingly, the open state of the door may include both the case where the door is in a section where it changes from a closed state to a fully open state, or the case where the door is in a section where it changes from a fully open state to a closed state. In addition, the door may be fixed in a closed state by the first door lock (240) when it catches the first door damper (210), and may be fixed in a fully open state by the second door lock (250) when it catches the second door damper (220).

[0092] According to one embodiment, when the door is in a closed state, the door is fixed in a closed state by the first door lock (240), thereby increasing the stability and safety of the device while the slide scanning device is in operation, and when the door is in a fully open state, the door is fixed in a closed state by the second door lock (250), thereby improving user convenience when inserting or removing the slide tray.

[0093] In one embodiment, the slide scan device can unlock the door from a closed state and open it, or unlock the door from a fully open state and close it, even in an emergency such as a power outage, through a hole for forced unlocking (260) and a hole for forced unlocking (270). This will be described in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B.

[0094] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are drawings illustrating a method for forcibly unlocking a door in an emergency according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B , the slide scan device (100) may be provided with a hole (260) for forced unlocking. In one embodiment, the slide scan device (100) may unlock or perform a locking procedure of the first door lock (240) when receiving a touch input of the UI. For example, when obtaining a user input for either the UI for opening the door or the UI for closing the door, the slide scan device (100) may control the door lock device to unlock the door lock device. However, in an emergency such as a power outage, touch inputs, etc. may not be obtained, and thus even when unlocking or locking the first door lock (240) is required, the unlocking or locking may become impossible. Accordingly, the slide scan device (100) may further be provided with an emergency device so that the first door lock (240) can be locked or unlocked even in an emergency.

[0096] In one embodiment, a user may apply a force, such as a rod or the like, to the lock release hole (260) to rotate the first operating bar (310) in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise). Accordingly, when the first operating bar (310) rotates in the first direction due to an external force applied through the lock release hole, the second operating bar (320) may also rotate in the first direction to unlock the first door lock (240). For example, the emergency device may include a solenoid switch, and the door may be unlocked (i.e., in a door locked state) when the second operating bar (320) presses the solenoid switch.

[0097] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a fully open state of a door of a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 4, the slide scan device (100) is illustrated when the door is in a fully open state. When the door is in a fully open state, the display bracket may be caught by the second door damper (220). In this case, the door may be fixed by the second door lock (250) so that the door may be fixed in a fully open state. In one embodiment, when the door is in a fully open state, a user can access a slide tray receiving space (410). A slide tray slot exists in the slide tray receiving space (410), so that a user can insert and remove a slide tray into and from each slide tray receiving portion.

[0099] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b are drawings showing a method for forcibly releasing the fixing of a door in an emergency according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , the slide scan device (100) may be provided with a hole (270) for forced release of the lock. In one embodiment, the slide scan device (100) may unlock or lock the second door lock (250) when receiving a touch input of the UI. However, in an emergency such as a power outage, touch inputs, etc. may not be obtained, and thus even when unlocking or locking the second door lock (250) is required, the unlocking or locking may become impossible. Accordingly, the slide scan device (100) may further be provided with an emergency device so that the second door lock (250) can be locked or unlocked even in an emergency.

[0101] In one embodiment, a user may apply a force, such as a rod, to the fixed release hole (270) to rotate the third operating bar (430) in the second direction (e.g., clockwise). Accordingly, when the third operating bar (440) rotates in the second direction due to the external force applied through the fixed release hole, the fourth operating bar (440) may also rotate in the second direction to unlock the second door lock (250). Unlocking the second door lock (250) may include unlocking the door from being fixed in a fully open state. For example, the emergency device may include a solenoid switch, and the door may be unlocked from being fixed in a fully open state (i.e., the door locked state) by pressing the solenoid switch with the fourth operating bar (440).

[0102] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the UI / UX of a door closed state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 6, the slide scanning device (100) can control the display (120) to output various graphical user interfaces (GUIs: Graphical User Interfaces, 510). In one embodiment, the display (120) may be a display device provided on the door of the slide scanning device (100).

[0104] In one embodiment, the GUI that the slide scanning device (100) generates and controls to output to the display (120) may include a first GUI (510) for one or more slide trays positioned in the slide tray slots, a second GUI (520) for one or more slides positioned in the slide trays, a third GUI (530) for selecting a slide tray other than the slide tray corresponding to the information currently being output through the second GUI (520), etc.

[0105] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) can identify that one or more slide trays are inserted into a slide tray slot. For example, the slide tray slot includes the entire slot body, a plurality of slide tray receiving portions, etc., and each slide tray is inserted into each corresponding slide tray receiving portion. At this time, the insertion of the slide tray is detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of slide tray receiving portions, and information on the slide tray receiving portion into which the slide tray is inserted can be received from the slide tray slot. In addition, a light-emitting element is provided in each of the plurality of slide tray receiving portions, and the slide tray slot can transmit light information of the light-emitting element to the slide scanning device (100). Accordingly, the slide scanning device (100) can identify whether a slide tray is received in each of the plurality of slide tray receiving portions, what color light is being output in each of the plurality of slide tray receiving portions, etc.

[0106] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) can identify one or more slide trays inserted into a slide tray slot, and based on the identified one or more slide trays, generate a first GUI (510) regarding one or more slide trays positioned in the slide tray slot. For example, the first GUI (510) can include a GUI that indicates position information of one or more slide trays inserted into the slide tray slot, scan progress information of the slide tray for at least a portion of the one or more slide trays, absence information of the slide tray, identification information of the slot, identification information of one or more slide trays, scan order of the slide trays, queue management mode, etc.

[0107] In one embodiment, a first GUI (510) indicating position information of one or more slide trays inserted into a slide tray slot in the slide tray slot may be formed to correspond to slide tray receiving portions arranged in a vertical stack in the slide tray slot. For example, if a first slide tray receiving portion, a second slide tray receiving portion, and a third slide tray receiving portion are three slide tray receiving portions from the top in the slide tray slot, the first GUI (510) may include a GUI (512) corresponding to the first slide tray receiving portion, a GUI (514) corresponding to the second slide tray receiving portion, and a GUI (516) corresponding to the third slide tray receiving portion, which are formed in sequence from the top. According to one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may provide an intuitive UI / UX by synchronizing the GUI with the position of the slide tray receiving portion or the slide tray in the slide tray slot.

[0108] In one embodiment, the first GUI (510) for indicating the scan progress information of the slide tray for at least a portion of one or more slide trays may include, for each slide tray, an indication that the scan is complete (scanned), an indication that the scanning is in progress (scanning), an indication that the pre-scan is complete (pre-scanned), an indication that the pre-scan is in progress (pre-scanning), an indication that the scanning has not started (waiting), etc. Pre-scanning is a process for recognizing information about the slide tray, the slide, or the pathology sample by acquiring a preview image before scanning each slide located in the slide tray. For example, the information about the slide may include information about whether a slide is present in each slide receiving compartment, whether the slide is damaged in each slide receiving compartment, whether the slide is received in the correct position in each slide receiving compartment, or information about a region of interest in which a pathology sample is present in the slide; and the information about the pathology sample may include a specimen site of the pathology sample, a specimen collection time, whether staining was performed, a name of a staining reagent, or patient information corresponding to the pathology sample. Additionally, when a scan or pre-scan is in progress for a slide tray, the scan progress information may include information regarding the progress of the scan or pre-scan. For example, the first GUI (510) may include a GUI indicating that the fifth slide tray from the top of the slide tray slots is being scanned and is currently 37% complete, and a GUI indicating that the ninth slide tray from the top of the slide tray slots is being pre-scanned and is currently 80% complete.

[0109] In one embodiment, the first GUI (510) may include at least one of a GUI (512, 514, 516) corresponding to a first slide tray that has completed scanning, a GUI (550) corresponding to a second slide tray that is being scanned, a GUI (580, 590) corresponding to a third slide tray that has completed or is in the process of pre-scanning, a GUI (560) corresponding to a fourth slide tray that has not yet been scanned, a GUI (518) indicating that no slide tray exists in the slide tray storage, and a GUI indicating a slide tray that is not a target for scanning. Throughout the present disclosure, a slide tray that is being scanned may refer to a slide tray in which a scanning procedure for at least one slide existing in the slide tray is in progress. The GUI corresponding to the slide tray that is being scanned may include a GUI indicating the extent of scanning performed on the slides existing in the corresponding slide tray. For example, the GUI (550) corresponding to the second slide tray that is being scanned in FIG. 6 may be configured to indicate information that the scan is 37% complete. In another example, the GUI (590) corresponding to the third slide tray during pre-scanning in FIG. 6 may be configured to indicate that the pre-scan is 80% complete.

[0110] In one embodiment, a GUI (512, 514, 516) corresponding to a first slide tray that has completed scanning, a GUI (550) corresponding to a second slide tray that is being scanned, a GUI (580, 590) corresponding to a third slide tray that has completed or is in the process of pre-scanning, a GUI (560) corresponding to a fourth slide tray that has not yet been scanned, a GUI (518) indicating that there is no slide tray in the slide tray storage compartment, and a GUI indicating a slide tray that is not a target of scanning may be configured to be distinguished from each other. For example, the GUI corresponding to the first or second slide tray that has completed scanning or is being scanned may be configured in green, the GUI (580, 590) corresponding to the third slide tray that has completed pre-scanning or is in progress may be configured in yellow, the GUI (560) corresponding to the fourth slide tray that has not yet been scanned, the GUI (518) indicating that there is no slide tray in the slide tray storage compartment, and the GUI (not shown) indicating a slide tray that is not a target of scanning may be configured in achromatic colors.

[0111] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may obtain a user input of clicking or touching a GUI corresponding to one slide tray from the first GUI (510), which includes a GUI (512, 514, 516) corresponding to a first slide tray that has completed scanning, a GUI (550) corresponding to a second slide tray that is being scanned, a GUI (580, 590) corresponding to a third slide tray that has completed or is in the process of pre-scanning, a GUI (560) corresponding to a fourth slide tray that has not yet been scanned, a GUI (518) indicating that no slide tray exists in the slide tray storage compartment, a GUI indicating a slide tray that is not a target of scanning, etc. In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may receive a user input of clicking or touching a GUI (550) corresponding to a second slide tray. Additionally, based on the user input, the slide scanning device (100) can generate a second GUI (520) corresponding to the second slide tray and control the display (120) to output the second GUI (520). Additionally, the slide scanning device (100) can also update the first GUI (510) based on the user input. For example, the slide scanning device (100) can update the first GUI (510) by forming the GUI (550) within the first GUI (510) corresponding to the second slide tray larger than the GUIs corresponding to other slide trays.

[0112] Furthermore, the first GUI (510) may include a GUI (518) indicating information about the absence of a slide tray, a GUI indicating identification information of a slot, identification information of a slide tray storage unit, identification information of a slide tray, etc. In one embodiment, the identification information of the slide tray storage unit may include an identification number of the slide tray storage unit, information on the color of light emitted by a light-emitting element of the slide tray storage unit, etc. According to one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may provide an intuitive UI / UX to a user by synchronizing the color of light emitted by the light-emitting element of the slide tray storage unit and the color of the UI corresponding to each slide tray storage unit in the first GUI.

[0113] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) can identify that one or more slide trays are inserted into a slide tray slot. For example, the slide scanning device (100) can scan the slide tray slot and obtain position information of the slide tray inserted into the slide tray slot, position information of the slides accommodated in the slide tray, etc. In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) can identify whether a slide is accommodated in the slide tray, the position of the slide accommodated in the slide tray, the number of slides accommodated in the slide tray, etc.

[0114] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) can identify one or more slides placed on each slide tray, and generate a second GUI (520) regarding the slides based on the identified one or more slides. For example, the second GUI (520) can include a GUI that indicates position information of one or more slides in a corresponding slide tray, slide scanning progress information for at least a portion of one or more slides, specimen information of one or more slides, code information of one or more slides, identification information of the slide tray, identification information of one or more slides, etc.

[0115] In one embodiment, the second GUI (520) may include a GUI (522) corresponding to a first slide that has been scanned, a GUI (524) corresponding to a second slide that is being scanned, a GUI (526) corresponding to a third slide that has not yet been scanned, a GUI (528) indicating that no slide exists in the slide receiving area, a GUI (529) indicating a slide that is not a target for scanning, etc. In addition, the GUI (524) corresponding to the second slide that is being scanned may include a GUI indicating the extent of scanning of the second slide. For example, as the scanning of the second slide progresses 33%, the GUI (524) corresponding to the second slide may be configured to display information indicating that the scanning is 33% progress.

[0116] In one embodiment, the second GUI indicating the position information of one or more slides on the slide tray may correspond to the positions of the slides actually positioned on the slide tray. For example, if the slide tray includes two rows of slide receiving portions capable of accommodating eight slides in one row, the slide scanning device (100) may generate and provide a second GUI corresponding to the slide receiving portions of the second row and the eight columns. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, if only eight slides in the first row and two slides on the left side of the second row exist on the actual slide tray among the slides in the second row and the eight columns, the slide scanning device (100) may generate and provide a slide-shaped GUI at a position corresponding to the eight slides in the first row and the two slide receiving portions on the left side of the second row among the GUIs corresponding to the slide receiving portions of the second row and the eight columns. According to one embodiment, a UI / UX that can intuitively identify the positions of the slides on the slide tray may be provided.

[0117] In one embodiment, the slide scan progress information for at least a portion of one or more slides may include scan progress information for slides that have been scanned or are being scanned among one or more slides identified as existing in the slide tray. As an example of FIG. 6, based on the completion of slide scans for slides with identification numbers 1 to 3, the slide scanning device (100) may provide a GUI indicating that the scans of the slides with identification numbers 1 to 3 are complete. For example, the slide scanning device (100) may provide a GUI including a scan completion phrase, or may provide GUIs by distinguishing the GUI corresponding to a slide that has been scanned with a different color from the GUI corresponding to an incomplete slide (e.g., identification numbers 5 to 8). For example, the slide scanning device (100) may generate the GUI corresponding to a slide that has been scanned with a chromatic color, and generate the GUI corresponding to a slide to be scanned with an achromatic color. In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may provide a GUI (524) including scan progress information for a slide with identification number 4 based on the fact that scanning of the slide with identification number 4 is in progress. The scan progress information for the slide may include information indicating the degree of scan progress, whether scanning is in progress, etc.

[0118] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) can generate a second GUI that indicates position information of one or more slides in a slide tray, slide scanning progress information for at least a portion of one or more slides, specimen information of one or more slides, code information of one or more slides, identification information of a slide tray, identification information of one or more slides, and the like.

[0119] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may obtain a first user input for selecting a first slide tray from among one or more slide trays based on the first GUI (510). In addition, the slide scanning device (100) may control the display (120) to output a second GUI (520) corresponding to the first slide tray and including identification information (540) of the first slide tray based on the first user input. The identification information (540) of the first slide tray is information about the slide tray selected by the user through the first GUI (510), and may include position information indicating the position of the first slide tray within the slide tray slot, scan status information of the first slide tray, information on the number of slides included in the first slide tray, information on the time at which the first slide tray was inserted into the slide tray slot, and the like.

[0120] In one embodiment, the position information indicating the position of the first slide tray within the slide tray slot may include information regarding which stack the slide tray is in when the slide tray storage compartments are arranged in a stack in the slide tray slot. For example, if the first slide tray is a slide tray inserted into the fifth slide tray storage compartment from the top, the slide scanning device (100) may control the display to output the phrase “05 Slot-Tray” through the second GUI (520) when receiving a user input corresponding to the fifth slide tray through the first GUI (510).

[0121] In one embodiment, scan status information may include information about the time the scan was in progress (Progressed time), the estimated time remaining until the scan is completed (Estimated time), the number of slides scanned, the number of slides whose scans have not yet been completed, the scan magnification (Magnification), the scan performer, etc.

[0122] In one embodiment, the slide tray slot can store the time at which the slide tray is inserted into the slide tray storage compartment and transmit the inserted time information to the slide scanning device (100). The slide scanning device (100) can control the display (120) to output the time information at which the slide tray is inserted into the slide tray slot based on the time information received from the slide tray slot.

[0123] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may control the display (120) to output a third GUI (530) together with the second GUI (520). The third GUI (530) may include a GUI for selecting a second slide tray instead of the first slide tray when the slide tray corresponding to the information currently output through the second GUI (520) is the first slide tray. For example, the third GUI (530) may include a GUI for selecting a slide tray before or after the first slide tray.

[0124] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may obtain a second user input for selecting a second slide tray other than the first slide tray while outputting a second GUI (520) regarding the first slide tray. The second user input may include a user input for touching a GUI corresponding to the second slide tray in the first GUI (510), a user input for touching a GUI corresponding to the second slide tray in the third GUI (530), a gesture input for dragging from one direction of the display to another direction, etc. In addition, the slide scanning device (100) may update at least one of the first GUI, the second GUI, and the third GUI based on the second user input. For example, before acquiring the second user input, the first GUI (510) includes the fourth GUI (550) corresponding to the first slide tray (05 Slot-Tray in FIG. 6) and the fifth GUI (570) corresponding to the second slide tray (04 Slot-Tray in FIG. 6), and since the information currently output through the second GUI (520) is information about the first slide tray, the fifth GUI (570) may be formed smaller than the fourth GUI (550). For example, when the information currently output through the second GUI (520) is 05 Slot-Tray, the fourth GUI (550) may be formed larger than the fifth GUI (570). At this time, the slide scanning device (100) may acquire a user input for selecting 04 Slot-Tray, which is a previous tray of 05 Slot-Tray, through the third GUI (530).Accordingly, the slide scanning device (100) can update the second GUI (520) so that the information displayed through the second GUI (520) corresponds to the second slide tray (04 Slot-Tray), and can update the first GUI (510) so that the fifth GUI (570) corresponding to the second slide tray (04 Slot-Tray) is formed larger than the fourth GUI (550) corresponding to the first slide tray (05 Slot-Tray). Accordingly, the fourth GUI (550) corresponding to the first slide tray (05 Slot-Tray) can have the same size as the GUIs corresponding to slide trays other than the second slide tray (04 Slot-Tray).

[0125] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, various slide information providing functions can be intuitively provided by allowing a region of interest (ROI) to be modified through user input such as touch.

[0126] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) can identify a color corresponding to each slide tray (or slide tray storage unit) of the first GUI (510) and transmit a signal to the slide tray slot to control the light emitting elements of each slide tray storage unit of the slide tray slot to emit light corresponding to the color corresponding to each slide tray in the first GUI (510). Alternatively, the slide scanning device (100) can receive color information emitted by the light emitting elements of each slide tray storage unit of the slide tray slot from the slide tray slot and, based on the color information, control the display (120) to output the first GUI (510) corresponding to the slide tray of each slide tray storage unit in a color corresponding to the color emitted by the light emitting elements of each slide tray storage unit.

[0127] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an intuitive UI / UX can be provided to a user by synchronizing the color of each light-emitting element of the slide tray storage portion of the actual slide tray slot with the color of the GUI provided by the slide scanning device (100).

[0128] In one embodiment, a UI (600) for opening a door of a slide scan device (100) may be output to a display (120). When the slide scan device (100) receives a user touch input clicking the UI (600) for opening the door, the display may be controlled to provide information regarding the door's open status. This will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0129] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the UI / UX of a door in an open state according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7a illustrates the UI / UX when the door is in a section changing from a closed state to a fully open state, and FIG. 7b illustrates the UI / UX when the door is in a section changing from a fully open state to a closed state.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 7, the slide scan device (100) can identify the degree to which the door is moved when the door is opened, and output a UI indicating the degree to which the door has moved to the display (120). Since the door is fixed only when it is opened to a fully open state, the stability of the use of the slide scan device (100) can be guaranteed. Accordingly, the slide scan device (100) can provide an interface (610) or (620) related to the door opening state when the door is opened, identify whether the door has moved to a specific position, and control the display (120) so that the door opening state related interface (610) is not provided when it is identified that the door has moved to a specific position, i.e., when the door is in a fully open state. Similarly, a related interface (620) can be similarly provided during the closing process in which the door changes its state from a fully open state to a locked state. According to one embodiment, a user can move the door until the interface screen changes through the door opening status related interface (610) output on the display (120), and accordingly, when the user opens or closes the door, the user can check whether the door has been properly opened or closed through the UI / UX, thereby increasing the stability of use of the slide scan device (100) and increasing user convenience for using the slide scan device (100).

[0131] In one embodiment, when the door reaches a fully open state, the slide scan device (100) may provide an interface as shown in FIG. 8.

[0132] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the UI / UX of a fully open state of a door according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 8, when the door is in a fully open state or an open state, since the stability may be compromised when the equipment inside the slide scan device (100) is operating, the slide scan device (100) may be controlled not to perform a slide scan operation when the door is in a fully open state or an open state. Accordingly, the slide scan device (100) may display information indicating that the slide scan operation is not possible when the door is in a fully open state or an open state. That is, the slide scan device (100) may not acquire a user input that touches a specific area of ​​the display when the door is in an open state and / or a completely open state. The specific area may include an area that operates a scanning process. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the slide scan device (100) may provide a UI with a darker shade than the UI of FIG. 6 to indicate that scanning will not proceed even if the UI related to slide scanning is touched. In addition, the slide scan device (100) can be designed so that only the UI (600) for closing the door can accept touch input and output it to the display (120).

[0134] In one embodiment, when the door is closed, a touch input for a UI related to a scan operation, such as a scan start, a scan stop, or a scan order setting, may be acquired, and when the door is open or fully open, the UI may be configured so that the settings related to the above scan operation are not possible. Furthermore, the UI may be configured so that insertion or removal of a tray is possible when the door is fully open, or slot status information related to a slide tray slot related to the insertion or removal of a tray may be displayed. Slide tray information, information related to the display of the scan progress status of the slide, and the like may be provided regardless of the state of the door.

[0135] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the stability of the equipment can be improved by configuring the interface so that internal operations related to slide scanning are impossible when the door is in an open state or a fully open state.

[0136] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 9, the slide scanning device (100) may include a transceiver (910), a display (120), a memory (920), a camera (930), and a processor (940). However, not all of the components illustrated in FIG. 9 are essential components of the slide scanning device (100). The slide scanning device (100) may be implemented with more components than the components illustrated in FIG. 9, or may be implemented with fewer components than the components illustrated in FIG. 9. For example, the slide scanning device (100) may further include a slide tray slot, a sensor unit, a speaker (not illustrated), etc. In addition, the transceiver (910), the display (120), the memory (920), the camera (930), and the processor (940) may be implemented in the form of a single chip.

[0138] In one embodiment, the transceiver (910) can communicate with a terminal or other electronic device connected to the slide scanning device (100) via wire or wirelessly. For example, the slide scanning device (100) can receive information about whether a slide tray is loaded in each slide tray storage compartment from the slide tray slot.

[0139] The display (120) may include a touch panel, a holographic device, a projector, a screen, a monitor, etc. In addition, a key pad, an ultrasonic input device, a pen sensor, etc. may be further provided in addition to the display (120).

[0140] Various types of data, such as programs and files, such as applications, can be installed and stored in the memory (920). The processor (940) can access and use data stored in the memory (920), or store new data in the memory (920). In one embodiment, the memory (920) may include a database.

[0141] The camera (930) can acquire a preview image of the slide tray, individual scan images of slides located on the slide tray, etc.

[0142] The processor (940) controls the overall operation of the slide scan device (100) and may include at least one processor, such as a CPU or a GPU. The processor (940) may control other components included in the slide scan device (100) to perform operations for operating the slide scan device (100). For example, the processor (940) may execute a program stored in the memory (920), read a stored file, or store a new file. In one embodiment, the processor (940) may perform operations for operating the slide scan device (100) by executing the program stored in the memory (920). For example, the processor (940) may identify a door state including at least one of a closed state of the door, an open state of the door, and a fully open state of the door, and control the display (120) to output a user interface corresponding to the door state based on the door state.

[0143] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (100) may include a slide tray slot inside the door. The slide scanning device (100) may identify that a slide tray is inserted into the slide tray slot when the door is in an open state or a fully open state, and may provide a first GUI for one or more slide trays positioned in the slide tray slot and a second GUI for one or more slides positioned in one slide tray. Here, the first GUI and the second GUI may include one or more GUIs capable of acquiring a touch input for the corresponding GUI when the door is in a closed state, and may be provided so that a touch input for the corresponding GUI cannot be acquired when the door is in at least one of an open state and a fully open state.

[0144] An embodiment of the present disclosure may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by a computer. Computer-readable media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Furthermore, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically contains computer-readable instructions, data structures, or program modules, and includes any information delivery media.

[0145] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0146] A slide scanning device (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can obtain a preview image for a slide tray, recognize information about a slide tray, a slide, or a pathology sample from the preview image, obtain a slide scan image based thereon, and store the slide scan image in association with the information about the slide tray, the slide, or the pathology sample.

[0147] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (10) may include a preview camera (700), a scan camera (200), and a slide tray stage (300). For example, when a slide tray (400) is placed on the slide tray stage (300), preview images of a plurality of slides (500) may be obtained using the preview camera (700), and images of pathological samples accommodated in each slide (500) may be obtained using the scan camera (200).

[0148] In one embodiment, the slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) to a position where a preview image can be acquired by the preview camera (700), and after acquiring the preview image, the slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) back to a position where an image of the pathology sample can be acquired by the scan camera (200). In another embodiment, the first slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) to a position where a preview image can be acquired by the preview camera (700), and after acquiring the preview image, a second slide tray stage (not shown, separate from the first slide tray stage (300)) can move the slide tray (400) to a position where an image of the pathology sample can be acquired by the scan camera (200).

[0149] In one embodiment, the preview camera (700) can obtain preview images of a plurality of slides (500) placed on the slide tray stage (300). For example, the preview camera (700) can obtain an image of the entire slide tray (400) as a preview image. As another example, the preview camera (700) can obtain images of some of the slides (500) placed on the slide tray (400) as a preview image.

[0150] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 10, the preview camera (700) may be positioned a predetermined distance from the slide tray stage (300) so as to obtain preview images of a plurality of slides (500). The preview camera (700) may have a resolution suitable for obtaining information desired from the preview images. For example, the preview camera (700) may be configured as a camera with a lower resolution than the scan camera (200).

[0151] In one embodiment, the preview camera (700) may include one or more lens(es), an image sensor, and a focus control unit. The preview camera (700) may use the focus control unit to adjust the focus on the slide tray, and may acquire an image passing through one or more lens(es) using the image sensor.

[0152] In one embodiment, the scan camera (200) can acquire scan images for pathology samples included in each slide (500). The scan camera (200) can divide one slide (500) into multiple regions, acquire scan images for each region, and then combine them to acquire an image for the entire slide (500). For example, the scan camera (200) can divide the region of the slide (500) into a square tile shape and acquire scan images for each region. As another example, the scan camera (200) can divide the slide region into multiple lines, acquire scan images using a line scan method, and then combine them. As another example, the scan camera (200) can acquire an image for the entire slide at once. However, the method by which the scan camera (200) acquires an image of the slide (500) is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0153] In one embodiment, the scan camera (200) may include one or more lens(es), an image sensor, and a focus control unit. The scan camera (200) may use the focus control unit to adjust the focus for each area of ​​the slide to be scanned, and may acquire an image passing through one or more lens(es) using the image sensor.

[0154] In one embodiment, the slide tray stage (300) can accommodate a slide tray (400) on its upper surface. In one embodiment, the slide tray stage (300) can be provided with a fixing means (not shown) capable of fixing the slide tray (400) on its upper surface. For example, the slide tray stage (300) can be provided with a means for fixing all or part of the slide tray (400) in a vertical or horizontal direction.

[0155] In one embodiment, the slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) to a position where the preview camera (700) or the scan camera (200) can acquire an image. For example, the slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) to a predetermined position where the preview camera (700) can acquire an entire image of the slide tray (400). In addition, the slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) to a predetermined position so that the scan camera (200) can scan an area of ​​the slide (500). In addition, after the scan camera (200) completes scanning an area, the slide tray (400) can be moved so that the next area can be scanned.

[0156] In another embodiment, the first slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) to a position where the preview camera (700) or the scan camera (200) can acquire an image. For example, the first slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) to a predetermined position where the preview camera (700) can acquire an entire image of the slide tray (400). Thereafter, the second slide tray stage (not shown, separate from the first slide tray stage (300)) can move the slide tray (400) to a predetermined position so that the scan camera (200) can scan an area of ​​the slide (500). Additionally, the second slide tray stage (not shown) can move the slide tray (400) so that the scan camera (200) can scan a next area after completing a scan of an area.

[0157] In one embodiment, when the scan camera (200) uses a line scan method, the slide tray stage (300) can move the slide tray (400) for line scanning. For example, the slide tray (400) can be moved according to the line scan speed of the scan camera (200).

[0158] In another embodiment, the slide tray stage (300) may not move, and the preview camera (700) or the scan camera (200) may move to a predetermined position to acquire a preview image or a slide image. For example, the slide tray stage (300) may be fixed in position, and the preview camera (700) or the scan camera (200) may be mounted on a movable arm and moved to a position to acquire a preview image or a slide scan image.

[0159] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (10) may further include an illumination unit (800) for providing illumination to the slide tray (400) and / or the slide (500). Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 10, the illumination unit (800) may provide illumination from the upper surface of the slide tray (400). In another embodiment, the illumination unit (800) may provide illumination from the lower surface of the slide tray (400). In yet another embodiment, the illumination unit (800) may provide illumination to both the upper and lower surfaces of the slide tray (400).

[0160]

[0161] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a slide tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0162] The slide scanning device (10) can recognize information about the slide tray (400) from a preview image obtained through a preview camera (700).

[0163] Referring to FIG. 11, the slide tray (400) may be configured with a plurality of slide receiving portions (450) each capable of storing a slide, and may include identification information (410, 420) for the slide tray (400), direction indication information (470, 480) for the slide tray (400), and identification information (460) for each slide receiving portion. For example, the identification information (410, 420) for the slide tray (400) may be printed in letters or numbers, or may be included in the form of a barcode or QR code. If the identification information (410, 420) for the slide tray (400) is printed in letters or numbers, it may be identified from a preview image using optical character recognition (OCR) technology, and if it is in the form of a barcode or QR code, it may be recognized to obtain identification information for the corresponding slide tray (400). The slide scanning device (10) can accurately identify the slide tray (400) currently being scanned by recognizing identification information (410, 420) for the slide tray (400).

[0164] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (10) can identify whether the slide tray (400) is positioned on the slide tray stage (300) from the preview image. For example, if a mark is placed at a predetermined position on the slide tray stage (300) and the mark is placed at a position where the mark is obscured when the slide tray (400) is placed on the slide tray stage (300), the presence of the slide tray (400) can be simply determined based on whether the mark is recognized in the preview image. Furthermore, if the mark is placed so that the mark on the slide tray stage (300) is obscured only when the slide tray (400) is correctly placed, it can also be determined whether the slide tray (400) is placed in the correct position based on whether the mark is recognized in the preview image. As another example, the slide scanning device (10) can determine the presence of a slide tray (400) by recognizing identification information (410, 420) for the slide tray (400) or direction indication information (470, 480) of the slide tray (400) in the preview image.

[0165] In one embodiment, the direction indication information (470, 480) of the slide tray (400) may include an indication for the up-down or left-right direction, and may be displayed as an arrow for the corresponding direction, or may be displayed with a predetermined identifier on one side of a specific direction. For example, referring to FIG. 11, the direction indication information (470) of the slide tray (400) may be displayed by an arrow expressed in the up-down direction of the slide tray (400). As another example, the direction indication information (480) for the up-down and left-right directions may be displayed by displaying a predetermined identifier (e.g., a black dot in FIG. 11) on the upper left corner of the slide tray (400). The slide scanning device (10) may recognize the direction indication information (470, 480) for the slide tray (400) by recognizing the direction of the arrow in the preview image, or by recognizing a specific identifier at a predetermined location. In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (10) can recognize the direction in which the slide tray (400) is placed on the slide tray stage (300) by using the direction indication information (470, 480) for the slide tray (400).

[0166] In one embodiment, the identification information (460) for each slide receiving portion (450) of the slide tray (400) may be represented by a number, the number of dots, the length of a line, etc. For example, the identification information (460) for each slide receiving portion (450) may be represented by a number, and the slide scanning device (10) may recognize the identification information (460) for each slide receiving portion (450) from a preview image using OCR technology. As another example, when the identification information (460) for each slide receiving portion (450) is expressed as a predetermined symbol, such as the number of dots, the length of a line, etc., the identification information for each slide receiving portion (450) may be recognized by recognizing the symbol from the preview image.

[0167] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (10) can recognize the corresponding slide receiving unit (450) using identification information (460) when a specific slide (500) received in the slide tray (400) in the preview image is damaged or has come off the slide receiving unit (450). For example, when the fourth slide from the left in the upper slide row is damaged, the slide scanning device (10) can recognize the identification information (460) of the corresponding slide receiving unit (450) and recognize that the slide at position 4 is damaged.

[0168]

[0169] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a slide according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0170] The slide scanning device (10) can recognize information about each slide (500) accommodated in the slide tray (400) from a preview image obtained through a preview camera (700).

[0171] Referring to FIG. 12, a slide (500) may include an information section (5100) that displays information about the slide (500) and a sample receiving section (5200) that receives a pathology sample. The information section (5100) of the slide (500) may display information about the slide (500) using letters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, or QR codes. For example, if the information is displayed using letters and / or numbers, the information may be recognized using OCR technology, if the information is expressed using predetermined symbols, the information may be recognized using camera vision technology, and if the information is displayed using a QR code or barcode, the information may be recognized by decoding it.

[0172] In one embodiment, the information description section (5100) of the slide (500) may include information about a patient corresponding to the slide (500), information about a pathology sample, information about a scanning method, and the like. For example, information about a patient corresponding to the slide (500) may include a patient name, a patient age, a patient's resident registration number, a patient ID (or patient number), a department, a disease name, and the like. Information about a pathology sample may include a specimen site of the sample (e.g., liver tissue), whether it is stained, a staining reagent name, a sample collection time, and the like. In addition, information about a scanning method may include information about a priority of the sample (e.g., whether an urgent examination is required), a scan resolution, a scan area, a scan method, and the like.

[0173] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (10) can recognize the location of the pathology sample on the slide (500) in the preview image to determine in advance the region of interest (ROI) to be scanned by the scan camera (200). For example, the slide scanning device (10) can recognize the location of the pathology sample in the sample receiving portion (5200) of the slide (500), store it, and then cause the scan camera (200) to scan the region of interest to acquire an image of the pathology sample. Referring to FIG. 12, the region of interest can be set as a rectangle containing the pathology sample or along the outline of the pathology sample, depending on the scanning method.

[0174]

[0175] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a slide scanning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0176] In one embodiment, the slide scanning device (10) may include a processor (710), a display unit (720), an input unit (730), a communication unit (740), and a storage unit (750) in addition to a preview camera (700), a scan camera (200), a slide tray stage (300), and a lighting unit (800). However, not all of the components illustrated in FIG. 13 are essential components of the slide scanning device (10).

[0177] In one embodiment, the processor (710) may be configured as a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. The processor (710) may read and execute program modules stored in the storage (750). For example, the processor (710) may control the preview camera (700), the scan camera (200), the slide tray stage (300), or the lighting unit (800) by executing the program modules stored in the storage (750). In addition, the processor (710) may output the current status of the slide scanning device (10), the progress status of the slide scan, and / or the image of the slide after scanning to the display unit (720) by executing the program modules stored in the storage (750). In addition, the processor (710) may transmit and receive information with an external device via the communication unit (740) by executing the program modules stored in the storage (750). Additionally, the processor (710) can receive user input from the input unit (730) by executing a program module stored in the storage unit (750). In one embodiment, the input unit (730) can be configured in the form of a touch screen on the display unit (720).

[0178] In one embodiment, the storage unit (750) stores program modules, such as an image recognition module (810), a scanner control module (820), and an image storage module (830), and can be executed via a processor. For example, the storage unit (750) can be configured as a memory, an SSD, an HDD, or a combination thereof.

[0179] In one embodiment, the image recognition module (810) can recognize information about the slide tray (400), the slide (500), and / or the pathology sample from the preview image acquired through the preview camera (700). For example, the image recognition module (810) can distinguish a slide tray area, a slide area, an information description section (5100) and a sample receiving section (5200) of the slide area, extract information about the slide tray (400) from the slide tray area, extract information about the slide from each slide area, and recognize information about the corresponding pathology sample from the information description section (5100) and the sample receiving section (5200) of each slide area.

[0180] In one embodiment, the image recognition module (810) can recognize information about the slide tray (400) from the preview image. Here, the information about the slide tray (400) can include whether the slide tray (400) is present on the slide tray stage (300), identification information about the slide tray (400), direction information about the slide tray (400), or identification information (460) of each slide receiving portion (450) of the slide tray (400). For example, whether the slide tray (400) is present on the slide tray stage (300) can be determined by recognizing a mark located on the upper surface of the slide tray stage (300) (which is obscured when the slide tray (400) is placed in the correct position). For example, identification information for the slide tray (400), direction information of the slide tray (400), or identification information (460) of each slide receiving portion (450) of the slide tray (400) can be recognized by letters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, or QR codes displayed on the upper surface of the slide tray (400).

[0181] In one embodiment, the image recognition module (810) can recognize information about a slide (500) in a preview image. Here, the information about the slide (500) may include information about whether a slide (500) exists in each slide receiving portion (450), whether the slide (500) in each slide receiving portion (450) is damaged, whether the slide (500) is received in the correct position in each slide receiving portion (450), or information about a region of interest where a pathological sample exists in the slide (500). For example, the presence, damage, and correct position of the slide (500) in each slide receiving portion (450) can be obtained through analysis of the preview image, and for the convenience of image analysis, specific marks can be added to predetermined positions of each slide receiving portion and / or the slide. For example, information on a region of interest in which a pathology sample exists within a slide (500) can be set as a region of interest including the outline of the pathology sample by recognizing the outline of the pathology sample in the sample receiving portion (5200) of each slide (500).

[0182] In one embodiment, the image recognition module (810) can recognize information about a pathology sample from a preview image. Here, the information about the pathology sample may include the specimen site of the pathology sample, the time of specimen collection, whether or not it was stained, the name of the staining reagent, or patient information corresponding to the pathology sample. In addition, the patient information corresponding to the pathology sample may include the patient's name, patient's age, the patient's resident registration number, the patient's number, the patient's department, or the patient's disease name. In one embodiment, the information about the pathology sample may include information about the priority of the pathology sample, scan resolution, scan area, or scan method. For example, the information about the pathology tissue (or pathology sample) may be obtained by recognizing letters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, or QR codes described in the information description section (5100) of each slide (500).

[0183] In one embodiment, the scanner control module (820) controls the preview camera (700) to acquire a preview image, and uses information about the slide tray (400), the slide (500), and / or the pathology sample recognized by the image recognition module (810) to control the slide scanning device (10) to acquire a scan image of the pathology sample. For example, the scanner control module (820) may use information about the slide tray (400), the slide (500), and / or the pathology sample to control the scan camera (200), the slide tray stage (300), and the lighting unit (800) to acquire a scan image.

[0184] In one embodiment, the scanner control module (820) may determine the lens magnification of the scan camera (200), the scan resolution, the size of the scan area, the scan method, the illumination intensity of the lighting unit (800), the illumination method, etc., considering the disease name of the patient corresponding to the pathology sample, the body tissue name of the pathology sample, whether or not to stain, the name of the staining reagent, the time of specimen collection, etc., and control the slide scanning device (10) based on the determination. In another embodiment, the scanner control module (820) may control the slide scanning device (10) based on information about the scan method recognized by the image recognition module (810) in the information description unit (5100) of the slide (500) (e.g., priority, scan resolution, scan area, scan method, etc.).

[0185] In one embodiment, the scanner control module (820) may provide the user with a preview image along with information about the slide tray (400), slides (500), and / or pathology samples, and may receive user input regarding slide scanning. In this case, the scanner control module (820) may control the slide scanning based on the user's selection. For example, the user may choose to perform scanning only on some slides accommodated in the slide tray. As another example, the user may choose to perform scanning first on specific slides accommodated in the slide tray. As another example, the user may select a scanning method for specific slides.

[0186] In one embodiment, the image storage module (830) may store a scanned image obtained by the scanner control module (820) in association with information about a pathology sample obtained by the image recognition module (810). For example, the image storage module (830) may store the scanned image by including, as macro information, the patient name, the patient's age, the patient's resident registration number, the patient ID (or patient number), the department, the disease name, etc. obtained by the image recognition module (810). For example, the image storage module (830) may store the scanned image by including, as macro information, the body tissue name of the sample (e.g., liver tissue), whether it is stained, the name of the staining reagent, the time of specimen collection, etc. obtained by the image recognition module (810). For example, the image storage module (830) may store the scanned image by including, as macro information, the priority (e.g., whether an urgent examination is required), scan resolution, scan area, scan method, etc. obtained by the image recognition module (810).

[0187] In one embodiment, the image storage module (830) may store the scanned image by including the scan resolution, scan area, scan method, etc. used in the process of obtaining the scanned image from the scanner control module (820) as macro information.

[0188] In one embodiment, the image storage module (830) may transmit a scanned image obtained by the scanner control module (820) to an external device using the communication unit (740) based on information about a pathology sample obtained by the image recognition module (810). For example, if the pathology sample is a subject of an urgent examination according to information about the pathology sample, the image storage module (830) may transmit a scanned image of the pathology sample to the external device in association with the information about the pathology sample. As a result, a medical professional who has requested an urgent examination can be provided with an image of the pathology sample in priority.

[0189]

[0190] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a slide scanning method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0191] Another slide scanning method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a preview image acquisition step (S100), a preview image recognition step (S200), a scan image acquisition step (S300), and a scan image storage step (S400).

[0192] In one embodiment, the preview image acquisition step (S100) is a process of acquiring a preview image of a slide tray using a preview camera (700). For example, the slide tray stage (300) is moved to a position where the preview camera (700) can acquire a preview image of the entire slide tray, and if necessary, the lighting unit (800) is used to illuminate the required light, and the preview camera (700) is operated to acquire a preview image of the slide tray (400).

[0193] In one embodiment, if the preview image does not meet a predetermined standard, the preview camera (700), the slide tray stage (300), or the lighting unit (800) may be controlled to re-capture the preview image. For example, if the quality of the preview image is below a certain level, the preview camera (700) may be controlled again to re-capture the preview image. As another example, if a portion of the slide tray is not captured in the preview image, the slide tray stage (300) may be controlled to re-capture the preview image.

[0194] In one embodiment, the preview image recognition step (S200) is a process of recognizing necessary information from a preview image.

[0195] In a preview image recognition step (S200) according to one embodiment, information on the acceptance status of the slide tray (400) and the slide (500) can be obtained. First, by recognizing identification information (410, 420) and direction indication information (470, 480) for the slide tray (400), the type of the slide tray (400) and the direction in which the slide tray (400) is placed on the slide tray stage (300) can be recognized. Next, it can be recognized whether a slide (500) exists in each slide receiving portion (450), whether the slide (500) is damaged, and whether the slide (500) is properly received. If a slide (500) does not exist in a specific slide receiving portion (450), or the slide (500) is damaged, or the slide (500) is detached from the slide receiving portion (450) or is received in an incorrect manner, information about the slide receiving portion (450) can be stored using the location of the slide receiving portion (450) and / or identification information (460) for each slide receiving portion (450). For example, it can be recognized that among slide receiving portions 1 to 16, slide receiving portions 2, 6, and 11 do not have slides, slide receiving portion 13 has a damaged slide, and slide receiving portion 7 has a slide received partially detached from the slide receiving portion.

[0196] In a preview image recognition step (S200) according to one embodiment, information about a slide (500) accommodated in a slide receiving unit (450) can be recognized from a preview image. By recognizing letters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, QR codes, etc. written in an area corresponding to an information description unit (5100) of each slide (500) in the preview image, information about a patient corresponding to the slide (500), information about a pathology sample, information about a scanning method, etc. can be recognized.

[0197] In one embodiment, the scan image acquisition step (S300) may control the slide scanning device (10) to acquire a scan image of the pathology sample by using information about the slide tray (400), the slide (500), and / or the pathology sample recognized in the preview image recognition step (S200). For example, the scanner control module (820) may control the scan camera (200), the slide tray stage (300), and the lighting unit (800) to acquire a scan image by using information about the slide tray (400), the slide (500), and / or the pathology sample.

[0198] In one embodiment, the scan image acquisition step (S300) may determine the lens magnification of the scan camera (200), the scan resolution, the size of the scan area, the scan method, the illumination intensity of the lighting unit (800), the illumination method, etc., considering the disease name of the patient corresponding to the pathology sample, the body tissue name of the pathology sample, whether or not to stain, the name of the staining reagent, the specimen collection time, etc., and control the slide scanning device (10) based on the determined information. In another embodiment, the scan image acquisition step (S300) may control the slide scanning device (10) based on information (e.g., priority, scan resolution, scan area, scan method, etc.) about the scan method recognized from the information description unit (5100) of the slide (500) in the preview image recognition step (S200).

[0199] In one embodiment, prior to the scan image acquisition step (S300), a preview image may be provided to the user along with information about the slide tray (400), slides (500), and / or pathology samples, and the user may be asked to input a selection regarding slide scanning. In this case, the scan image acquisition step (S300) may be performed based on the user's selection. For example, the user may select to perform scanning only on some slides accommodated in the slide tray. As another example, the user may select to perform scanning first on specific slides accommodated in the slide tray. As another example, the user may select a scanning method for specific slides.

[0200] In one embodiment, the scan image storage step (S400) may store the scan image obtained in the scan image acquisition step (S300) in association with information about the pathology sample obtained in the preview image recognition step (S200). For example, the scan image storage step (S400) may store the scan image by including, as macro information, the patient name, the patient's age, the patient's resident registration number, the patient ID (or patient number), the department, the disease name, etc. obtained in the preview image recognition step (S200). For example, the scan image storage step (S400) may store the scan image by including, as macro information, the body tissue name of the sample (e.g., liver tissue), whether it is stained, the name of the staining reagent, the time of specimen collection, etc. obtained in the preview image recognition step (S200). For example, the scan image storage step (S400) may store the scan image by including, as macro information, the priority (e.g., whether urgent examination is required), scan resolution, scan area, scan method, etc. obtained in the preview image recognition step (S200).

[0201] In one embodiment, the scan image storage step (S400) may store the scan image by including the scan resolution, scan area, scan method, etc. used in the process of obtaining the scan image in the scan image acquisition step (S300) as macro information.

[0202] In one embodiment, the scan image storage step (S400) may transmit the scan image obtained by the scan image acquisition step (S300) to an external device based on the information about the pathology sample obtained in the preview image recognition step (S200). For example, if the pathology sample is a subject of an urgent examination according to the information about the pathology sample, the scan image for the pathology sample may be transmitted to the external device in association with the information about the pathology sample in the scan image storage step (S400). As a result, the medical professional who requested the urgent examination can be provided with the image for the pathology sample in priority.

[0203]

[0204] The above description of the present disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present disclosure can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, components described as being single may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as being distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0205] The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In the slide scanning device, memory; At least one processor executing one or more instructions stored in the memory; and Includes a door containing a display, At least one processor, Identify a door state including at least one of a closed state of the door, an open state of the door, and a fully open state of the door; A slide scan device that controls the display to output a user interface (UI) corresponding to the state of the door based on the state of the door.

2. In paragraph 1, The above slide scanning device includes a slide tray slot, A slide scanning device characterized in that the slide tray is extracted or inserted into the slide tray slot when the door is in a fully open state.

3. In paragraph 1, The above slide scanning device, Further comprising a first door damper, a second door damper, a first door lock, and a second door lock, The above door, A slide scan device characterized in that the door is fixed by the first door damper and the first door lock when the door is in a closed state, and is fixed by the second door damper and the second door lock when the door is in a fully open state.

4. In paragraph 1, The above display includes a touch panel, At least one processor, A slide scan device characterized in that it does not acquire user input touching a specific area of ​​the display when the door is in an open state or the door is in a fully open state.

5. In the first paragraph, the slide scanning device, Includes a slide tray slot, The user interface corresponding to the status of the above door is: A first GUI for one or more slide trays positioned in the slide tray slot and a second GUI for one or more slides positioned in one slide tray, The above first GUI and the above second GUI, A slide scan device, comprising one or more GUIs capable of acquiring touch input for the GUI when the door is in a closed state, and provided so that touch input for the GUI cannot be acquired when the door is in at least one of an open state and a fully open state.

6. In paragraph 1, The above slide scanning device, Including a door lock device, At least one processor, A slide scan device that controls the door lock device to unlock the door lock device when obtaining a user input for either the UI for opening the door or the UI for closing the door.

7. In the first paragraph, the slide scanning device, A slide scanning device further comprising at least one of a hole for forcibly releasing a lock and a hole for forcibly releasing a fixation.

8. In the 7th paragraph, the slide scanning device, A slide scan device characterized in that the door is unlocked when the first operating bar rotates in the first direction due to an external force applied through the lock release hole.

9. In the 7th paragraph, the slide scanning device, A slide scan device characterized in that the door is unlocked when the second operating bar rotates in the second direction due to an external force applied through the fixed force releasing hole.

10. In the fifth paragraph, the first GUI, It is formed to correspond to the arrangement of a plurality of slide tray storage portions in the above slide tray slot, and includes a GUI that indicates whether a slide tray is inserted into each of the plurality of slide tray storage portions. In the above first GUI A slide scanning device, characterized in that the GUI for the slide tray output through the second GUI is formed larger than the GUI for the other slide trays.

11. In the fifth paragraph, the first GUI, A GUI is included that indicates at least one of position information of one or more slide trays inserted into the slide tray slot, slide tray scan progress information for at least a portion of the one or more slide trays, slide tray absence information, slot identification information, slide tray storage portion identification information, and identification information of the one or more slide trays. The above second GUI is, A slide scanning device comprising a GUI that indicates at least one of position information of the one or more slides in the slide tray, slide scanning progress information for at least a portion of the one or more slides, specimen information of the one or more slides, code information of the one or more slides, identification information of the slide tray, and identification information of the one or more slides.

12. In paragraph 1. The above slide scanning device, A preview camera that obtains a preview image for the slide tray; a scanning camera for acquiring slide scan images; and A slide tray stage for transporting the above slide tray which includes, Slide scanning device.

13. In paragraph 12, At least one processor, Obtain the above preview image for the above slide tray, Recognize information about the slide tray, slide or pathology sample from the above preview image, Acquire the slide scan image based on information about the slide tray, slide or pathology sample, storing the slide scan image in association with information about the slide tray, slide or pathology sample; Slide scanning device.

14. In paragraph 12, The above slide tray stage includes a mark at a predetermined position, and when the slide tray is received on the slide tray stage, the mark is covered. Slide scanning device.

Images