X-ray imaging system

Abstract

An X-ray imaging system (100) is provided with: a voice input unit (5) that receives input of a voice of a user; a notification unit (1); and a control unit (8) that performs control based on a keyword by voice-recognizing the keyword. The control unit (8) is configured to perform control for causing the notification unit (1) to issue a notification of volume information (89) pertaining to the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit (5) at least before the voice recognition of a start keyword.

Description

X-ray imaging system

[0001] The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging system.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an X-ray imaging apparatus has been known, and such an X-ray imaging apparatus is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,271,687.

[0003] The above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 9,271,687 discloses an X-ray imaging device (X-ray imaging system) including an X-ray irradiation unit, an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit, a display unit (alert unit) that displays an X-ray image, and an input unit provided on the display unit. The input unit includes a microphone that accepts user voice input. An input signal generated based on the user voice input to the input unit may include a keyword that causes a region selection unit (control unit) to execute a specific function. An example of the specific function is a region selection function that selects a specific region within an X-ray image. That is, the region selection unit (control unit) is configured to select a specific region within the X-ray image based on the user voice accepted by the input unit.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 9,271,687

[0005] Although not explicitly stated in U.S. Pat. No. 9,271,687, keywords that cause the region selection unit to execute a specific function may include a start keyword and a command keyword. The start keyword is a keyword that triggers voice recognition of the command keyword. The command keyword is a keyword that causes the corresponding predetermined function to be executed. Furthermore, although not explicitly stated in U.S. Pat. No. 9,271,687, the relative position between a user (e.g., a doctor) and a microphone that receives the user's voice input may change depending on the imaging region of the subject, the examination method, and the treatment method. Therefore, if the volume of the user's voice input into the microphone decreases as the relative position between the user and the microphone changes, the region selection unit may not be able to voice recognize the start keyword uttered by the user and input into the microphone (voice input unit). If the region selection unit (control unit) cannot voice recognize the start keyword, it will not voice recognize the command keyword uttered after the start keyword. Therefore, it is desirable for the user to be able to understand the volume of the user's voice input into the voice input unit.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging system that allows a user to understand the volume of the user's voice input into a voice input unit.

[0007] An X-ray imaging system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an X-ray irradiation unit, an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit, a voice input unit that accepts voice input from a user, an alarm unit, and a control unit that performs keyword-based control by voice recognizing keywords including a start keyword and a command keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control to start voice recognition for the command keyword by voice recognizing the start keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, and control to execute a function corresponding to the command keyword by voice recognizing the command keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, and to control the alarm unit to notify volume information regarding the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword.

[0008] An X-ray imaging system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an X-ray irradiation unit, an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit, a voice input unit that accepts voice input from a user, an alarm unit, and a control unit that performs keyword-based control by performing voice recognition of keywords based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control to determine whether the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit is appropriate for performing voice recognition, based on the volume of the voice, and to control the alarm unit to notify the judgment result.

[0009] In the X-ray imaging system according to the first aspect, as described above, the control unit is configured to control the notifier to notify volume information regarding the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit at least before voice recognition of the start keyword. This allows the notifier to notify volume information regarding the volume of the user's voice, for example, based on the speech of a user such as a doctor or technician input into the voice input unit during an examination or treatment of a subject. Therefore, the notifier can recognize the volume of the user's voice input into the voice input unit through the notification by the notifier.

[0010] In the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect, as described above, the control unit is configured to perform control to determine whether the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit is appropriate for executing voice recognition, based on the volume of the voice, and to control the notifying unit to notify the determination result. This causes the notifying unit to notify the determination result of whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition. Therefore, the notification by the notifying unit allows the user to know the volume of the user's voice input to the voice input unit and whether the volume of the user's voice is at a volume at which voice recognition is possible.

[0011] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an X-ray imaging system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an X-ray imaging system according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a front view showing a display device; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first display area and a second display area in a state before voice recognition of a start keyword; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first display area and a second display area in a state after voice recognition of a start keyword; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a voice recognition enabled mode and a first volume bar displayed in the first display area; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a first character image and a second volume bar displayed in the second display area; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a second character image displayed in the second display area; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a voice recognition disabled mode displayed in the first display area; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a command keyword and control based on the command keyword; FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process of displaying a determination result on a display device by a control unit and a control process based on a keyword; FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an X-ray imaging system according to a first modified example; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a first frame displayed in the first display area and a second frame displayed in the second display area according to a second modified example;

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] 1 performs fluoroscopy, which captures (fluoroscopically views) images of the interior of a subject's body by irradiating the subject with X-rays while the subject has a medical device inserted therein. For example, the X-ray imaging system 100 captures images (moving images) for confirming the state of the subject's body when performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The device includes, for example, a stent placed in a blood vessel in the subject's heart.

[0014] In percutaneous coronary intervention, a user such as a doctor inserts a device such as a stent into the body of a subject while checking the internal condition of the subject by visually viewing fluoroscopic images as real-time moving images displayed on the display device 10. The X-ray imaging system 100 is configured to display on the display device 10 a superimposed image in which a fluoroscopic image and a blood vessel image captured at an imaging angle corresponding to the imaging angle of the fluoroscopic image are superimposed on each other, in order to place a device such as a stent at a stenotic portion of a coronary artery using a catheter or the like while checking the shape of the blood vessel in the fluoroscopic image.

[0015] Here, the vascular image is a DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography) image generated by digitally subtracting a non-contrast image from a contrast image. The non-contrast image is an image captured at multiple imaging angles when a contrast agent has not been administered to the subject (when no contrast agent is present in the blood vessels). The contrast image is an image captured at multiple imaging angles similar to those used to capture the non-contrast image when a contrast agent has been administered to the subject (when contrast agent remains in the blood vessels).

[0016] The X-ray imaging system 100 also captures images of the subject's lower limbs to identify the treatment location of the blood vessels in the subject's lower limbs. Because the blood vessels in the lower limbs extend from the base of the subject's feet to the toes, it is not possible to capture all of them in a single imaging session. Therefore, the X-ray imaging system 100 generates a long image by stitching together multiple images. The long image is generated by stitching together multiple vascular images obtained by subtracting multiple contrast agent images and multiple non-contrast agent images that have the same relative position coordinates. The contrast agent image is an image captured multiple times while the X-ray irradiator 40 and X-ray detector 41 are moved in the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 3 and the relative positions of the X-ray irradiator 40 and X-ray detector 41 and the subject are changed after the subject has been administered a contrast agent. In addition, the non-contrast agent image is an image that is taken multiple times under the same imaging conditions as when the contrast agent image is taken, with no contrast agent administered to the subject, by moving the X-ray irradiation unit 40 and the X-ray detection unit 41 in the longitudinal direction of the tabletop and changing the relative positions of the X-ray irradiation unit 40 and the X-ray detection unit 41 and the subject.

[0017] (Configuration of X-Ray Imaging System) The configuration of an X-ray imaging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0018] 1, the X-ray imaging system 100 includes an X-ray imaging device 200, a notification unit 1 including a display device 10, and a display device moving mechanism 2. The X-ray imaging device 200 includes a tabletop 3, an imaging unit 4, a voice input unit 5 (see FIG. 2), an operation unit 6, an image processing unit 7 (see FIG. 2), a control unit 8 (see FIG. 2), and a storage unit 9 (see FIG. 2).

[0019] The tabletop 3 is configured as a bed on which the subject lies.

[0020] The imaging unit 4 is configured to perform X-ray imaging of the subject. The imaging unit 4 is also configured to perform fluoroscopic imaging of the subject while changing the imaging angle. That is, the X-ray imaging system 100 can capture X-ray images as still images (X-ray imaging) and can also capture fluoroscopic images as moving images (fluoroscopic imaging). The imaging unit 4 is configured to sequentially perform fluoroscopic imaging to capture moving images of internal parts of the subject's body (e.g., the heart or lower limbs) at each of a plurality of imaging angles. The imaging unit 4 includes an X-ray irradiation unit 40, an X-ray detection unit 41, and a holding unit 42. In this specification, the term "image" may include both X-ray images as still images and fluoroscopic images as moving images.

[0021] The X-ray irradiator 40 is configured to irradiate the subject with X-rays. The X-ray irradiator 40 includes an X-ray tube that irradiates X-rays by applying a voltage. The X-ray tube is configured such that the irradiated X-rays are controlled by controlling the applied voltage and current.

[0022] The X-ray detection unit 41 is configured to detect X-rays that are irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit 40 and have passed through the subject. The X-ray detection unit 41 outputs a detection signal based on the detected X-rays. The X-ray detection unit 41 includes, for example, an FPD (Flat Panel Detector).

[0023] The holder 42 is configured to hold the X-ray irradiator 40 and the X-ray detector 41 so as to be able to change the imaging angle of fluoroscopic imaging by the imaging unit 4. Specifically, the holder 42 holds the X-ray irradiator 40 and the X-ray detector 41 so that they face each other across the tabletop 3 on which the subject lies.

[0024] The notification unit 1 includes a display device 10. The display device 10 includes a display unit 11 and a handle 12. The display unit 11 is, for example, a monitor such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 11 is configured to display various images such as perspective images, superimposed images, and long images. Under the control of the control unit 8, the display unit 11 is also configured to display an image of volume information 89 including a determination result by the control unit 8, which will be described later. Details of the image displayed on the display unit 11 will be described later.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the display unit 11 includes a first display area 13 and a second display area 14 different from the first display area 13. The first display area 13 displays information on X-ray imaging conditions, including information on the tube voltage and tube current applied to the X-ray tube. The second display area 14 displays images, including fluoroscopic images. The display device 10 is suspended from a ceiling 90 in an imaging room 91 in which the imaging unit 4 is installed via a display device moving mechanism 2. FIG. 4 illustrates the first display area 13 and the second display area 14 before voice recognition of a start keyword in the voice recognition enabled mode. FIG. 5 illustrates the first display area 13 and the second display area 14 after voice recognition of a start keyword. The display device 10 is an example of a "notification unit" in the claims, and the display device moving mechanism 2 is an example of a "moving unit" in the claims.

[0026] 1 , the handle 12 is configured to be able to move the display unit 11 via the display device moving mechanism 2. The handle 12 is, for example, a rod-shaped member attached along the left side surface, bottom surface, and right side surface of the display unit 11. Here, the left side of the display unit 11 refers to the left side of the display unit 11 when the user views the display unit 11 from the front, and the right side of the display unit 11 refers to the right side of the display unit 11 when the user views the display unit 11 from the front. The user can move the display unit 11 via the display device moving mechanism 2 by gripping and moving the handle 12.

[0027] The display device moving mechanism 2 is configured to movably support the display device 10. The display device moving mechanism 2 includes a rail 20, a ceiling suspension device 21, and a support member 22. The rail 20 is provided on the ceiling 90 inside the imaging room 91. The ceiling suspension device 21 is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction (directions along the longitudinal direction of the top plate 3 and along the lateral direction of the top plate 3) using the rail 20. The ceiling suspension device 21 is configured to support a support member 22. The support member 22 is configured to support the display device 10. The support member 22 includes a first support member 23 and a second support member 24. The first support member 23 is supported by the ceiling suspension device 21 and is configured to rotate the second support member 24 and the display device 10 around a vertical axis 92. The second support member 24 is also configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction relative to the first support member 23, allowing the display device 10 to be moved in the vertical direction. The display device moving mechanism 2 is not limited to the above configuration, as long as it is configured to be able to move the display device 10 in the horizontal direction (directions along the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 3 and directions along the lateral direction of the tabletop 3) and in the up and down direction. The inside of the radiography room 91 is an example of "a room in which an X-ray irradiation unit and an X-ray detection unit are provided" in the claims.

[0028] The user can move the display device 10 horizontally and vertically via the handle 12. The user can also rotate the display device 10 around a vertical axis 92 via the handle 12. The display device moving mechanism 2 has a motor 25 and the like, so the user can easily move and rotate the display device 10 via the display device moving mechanism 2. The display device 10 may be configured to be movable to a predetermined position in accordance with the position of the imaging unit 4 selected by the user through an input operation of the operation unit 6. The display device 10 and the audio input unit 5 provided on the display device 10 are configured to be movable relative to the user who is standing on the longitudinal side of the tabletop 3 and performing a procedure.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , the audio input unit 5 is configured to receive audio input from a user. The audio input unit 5 includes, for example, a microphone. The audio input unit 5 is provided in the display device 10. Specifically, the audio input unit 5 is provided on the handle 12 of the display device 10. The audio input unit 5 is provided with an attachment member 5a that is detachably attached to the handle 12. The attachment member 5a is, for example, a clip. The audio input unit 5 is attached to the handle 12 facing the left side surface of the display unit 11 via the clip. The audio input unit 5 is configured to be movable horizontally and vertically together with the display device 10 by the display device moving mechanism 2 and to be rotatable around a vertical axis 92.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 , the operation unit 6 is configured to accept various input operations related to X-ray imaging and fluoroscopic imaging by the user. The operation unit 6 is provided on the tabletop 3. The operation unit 6 includes, for example, a touch panel. The operation unit 6 accepts input operations related to fluoroscopic images to be stored in the storage unit 9, input operations related to the display of fluoroscopic images on the display device 10, and input operations related to the selection of generating a long image by stitching together multiple vascular images captured after administering a contrast agent. The operation unit 6 also accepts input operations related to the selection of a voice recognition enabled mode (to be described later) and a voice recognition disabled mode that disables the voice recognition enabled mode. The content executed by the above input operations will be described later.

[0031] 2, the image processing unit 7 is configured to generate an image based on a detection signal output from the X-ray detection unit 41. The image processing unit 7 is configured, for example, by a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) configured for image processing. The image processing unit 7 is also configured to generate a fluoroscopic image and a vascular image of the subject including an image of a contrast agent based on the detection signal output from the X-ray detection unit 41. The image processing unit 7 is also configured to generate a long image by stitching together multiple vascular images captured after administering a contrast agent.

[0032] The control unit 8 is configured to perform keyword-based control by voice recognition of keywords including a start keyword and a command keyword based on the voice received by the voice input unit 5. The control unit 8 is configured to perform control to start voice recognition for the command keyword by voice recognition of the start keyword based on the voice received by the voice input unit 5, and control to execute a function corresponding to the command keyword by voice recognition of the command keyword based on the voice received by the voice input unit 5.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit 8 is configured to perform control to notify volume information 89 regarding the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit 5, at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword. Specifically, the control unit 8 is configured to perform control to display the volume information 89 on the display device 10, at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword.

[0034] Furthermore, the control unit 8 is configured to perform control to determine, at least before voice recognition of the start keyword, whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition based on the voice volume received by the voice input unit 5. The control unit 8 is configured to perform control to cause the notification unit 1 to notify volume information 89 including the determination result. Specifically, the control unit 8 is configured to perform control to cause the display device 10 to display the volume information 89 including the determination result.

[0035] The control unit 8 is also configured to be able to switch between a voice recognition enabled mode in which keyword-based control is performed by voice recognizing the keyword, and a voice recognition disabled mode in which the voice recognition enabled mode is disabled.

[0036] The control unit 8 includes a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an FPGA configured for image processing.

[0037] The storage unit 9 stores various images generated by the image processing unit 7 and various programs executed by the control unit 8. The storage unit 9 also stores keyword information corresponding to keywords recognized by voice recognition based on voice received by the voice input unit 5. The storage unit 9 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0038] (Voice Recognition Enabled Mode) The voice recognition enabled mode will be described below. The voice recognition enabled mode means that control for executing a function of the X-ray imaging system 100 corresponding to a keyword is enabled by recognizing the keyword based on the user's voice through a voice recognition process.

[0039] The keywords include a start keyword and a command keyword. The start keyword is a so-called wake-up word. The start keyword is a predetermined keyword that triggers voice recognition of the command keyword, and is a keyword that is uttered by the user before the command keyword is uttered by the user. An example of the start keyword is "Trinious." Note that the word of the start keyword is not limited to "Trinious," and other words may be set.

[0040] The command keyword is a predetermined keyword for executing a corresponding predetermined function, and is a keyword issued by the user after the user issues the start keyword "Trinious." In other words, the command keyword is a word for inputting a command. As an example, the command keyword is "save," and the predetermined function corresponding to "save" is to store the generated fluoroscopic image as a video in the storage unit 9. The command keyword and the predetermined function corresponding to the command keyword will be described later.

[0041] The control unit 8 is configured to execute the voice-recognition enabled mode when an input operation by the user to select the voice-recognition enabled mode is received by the operation unit 6. In the voice-recognition enabled mode, the control unit 8 is configured to start voice recognition for a command keyword by voice-recognizing a start keyword based on the user's voice, and to execute a function corresponding to the command keyword by voice-recognizing the command keyword based on the user's voice.

[0042] Furthermore, during the voice recognition enabled mode, the control unit 8 is configured to constantly perform control to determine whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition based on the voice volume received by the voice input unit 5, and to control volume information 89 including the determination result to be displayed on the display device 10. That is, during the voice recognition enabled mode, the control unit 8 is configured to determine whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition based on the voice volume of the user, both before and after the start keyword is uttered by the user, and to cause volume information 89 including the determination result to be displayed on the display device 10.

[0043] The control unit 8 is configured to be able to switch between a voice recognition enabled mode and a voice recognition disabled mode that disables the voice recognition enabled mode. When the operation unit 6 receives an input operation from the user to select disabling the voice recognition enabled mode, the control unit 8 is configured to execute the voice recognition disabled mode. That is, in the voice recognition disabled mode, the control unit 8 does not perform control to execute a function of the X-ray imaging system 100 corresponding to a keyword by voice recognizing the keyword. Furthermore, the control unit 8 does not perform control to determine whether the voice volume received by the voice input unit 5 is appropriate for executing voice recognition.

[0044] (Functional Blocks of the Control Unit) The functional blocks included in the control unit 8 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The control unit 8, which is made up of hardware such as a CPU and GPU, includes, as software (program) functional blocks, a volume determination unit 8a, a display control unit 8b, and a keyword determination processing unit 8c. The control unit 8 functions as the volume determination unit 8a, the display control unit 8b, and the keyword determination processing unit 8c by executing a program stored in the storage unit 9. The volume determination unit 8a, the display control unit 8b, and the keyword determination processing unit 8c may be configured individually as hardware by providing a dedicated processor (processing circuit).

[0045] (Volume Determination Unit) The volume determination unit 8a is configured to acquire the user's voice accepted by the voice input unit 5 and to determine whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition based on the volume of the acquired voice. Furthermore, during the voice recognition enabled mode, the volume determination unit 8a is configured to constantly determine whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition based on the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit 5.

[0046] Specifically, the volume determination unit 8a determines the volume of the voice based on the voice data acquired from the voice input unit 5. The volume is determined based on the magnitude of the amplitude of the voice waveform based on the voice data acquired from the voice input unit 5.

[0047] Here, based on experiments on speech recognition processing by the keyword determination processing unit 8c conducted in advance, experimental data, etc., are acquired that associate the magnitude of the amplitude of a speech waveform based on speech data with a result of whether or not speech recognition processing on the speech data by the keyword determination processing unit 8c was appropriately performed. The storage unit 9 stores volume determination data, based on the experimental data, that indicates a first volume (amplitude) range for determining that speech recognition is appropriate, a second volume (amplitude) range for determining that speech recognition is inappropriate because the volume (amplitude) is too small, and a third volume (amplitude) range for determining that speech recognition is inappropriate because the volume (amplitude) is too large. The volume determination unit 8a determines the volume of the speech based on the speech data acquired from the speech input unit 5 and the volume determination data acquired in advance, and acquires a determination result as to whether the speech volume is the first volume, the second volume, or the third volume.

[0048] Furthermore, the volume determination unit 8 a acquires the volume level (amplitude level) of the user's voice based on the magnitude of the amplitude in the voice waveform of the voice data acquired from the voice input unit 5 .

[0049] During the voice recognition enabled mode, the volume determination unit 8a constantly acquires a determination result as to whether the voice volume is the first volume, the second volume, or the third volume. That is, during the voice recognition enabled mode, the volume determination unit 8a determines the voice volume based on the voice data acquired from the voice input unit 5 and the volume determination data acquired in advance, both before and after the start keyword is uttered by the user, and acquires a determination result as to whether the voice volume is the first volume, the second volume, or the third volume. Furthermore, during the voice recognition enabled mode, the volume determination unit 8a constantly acquires the volume level (amplitude level) of the user's voice.

[0050] (Display Control Unit) The display control unit 8b is configured to cause the display device 10 to display the determination result acquired by the volume determination unit 8a. The display control unit 8b is configured to cause the display device 10 to identifiably display both the volume of the voice and whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition as volume information 89 including the determination result. Furthermore, the display control unit 8b is configured to cause the display device 10 to always display the volume information 89 including the determination result acquired by the volume determination unit 8a during the voice recognition enabled mode.

[0051] The volume information 89 includes a determination result as to whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition. Specifically, the volume information 89 includes a first volume bar 81, a first character image 82, and a second volume bar 83, which display the determination result. Note that the first volume bar 81, the first character image 82, and the second volume bar 83 are examples of "volume information including the determination result" in the claims.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 6(a) to (c), when an input operation to select the voice recognition enabled mode is received by the operation unit 6, the display control unit 8b is configured to display volume information 89 including the judgment result obtained by the volume judgment unit 8a in the first display area 13 before voice recognition of the start keyword.

[0053] Specifically, when the operation unit 6 receives an input operation by the user to select the voice recognition enabled mode, the display control unit 8b displays, as an example, a voice recognition enabled mode image 80 illustrated by an illustration (icon) in the first display area 13, indicating that the voice recognition enabled mode has been selected.

[0054] Furthermore, when the operation unit 6 receives an input operation from the user to select the voice recognition enabled mode, the display control unit 8b, as an example, displays a first volume bar 81 illustrated by an illustration (icon) to the left of the voice recognition enabled mode image 80 in the first display area 13.

[0055] The display control unit 8b is configured to display in the first display area 13 in the first volume bar 81 the judgment result that the voice volume is appropriate for performing voice recognition and the judgment result that the voice volume is not appropriate for performing voice recognition in different colors so that they can be distinguished from each other.

[0056] 6A, when the volume of the user's voice acquired by the volume determination unit 8a is determined to be a first volume that is appropriate for executing voice recognition, the display control unit 8b displays the first volume bar 81 in green, for example. For convenience, the portion of the first volume bar 81 that is displayed in green is illustrated in black.

[0057] In addition, as shown in Figure 6 (b), when the volume of the user's voice acquired by the volume determination unit 8a is determined to be the second volume, which is too low and therefore not appropriate for performing voice recognition, the display control unit 8b displays the first volume bar 81 in white, as an example.

[0058] 6(c), when the volume determination unit 8a determines that the volume of the user's voice acquired is too loud and therefore is the third volume, which is inappropriate for executing voice recognition, the display control unit 8b displays the first volume bar 81 in red, for example. For convenience, the portion of the first volume bar 81 that is displayed in green is illustrated by hatching.

[0059] The display control unit 8b is also configured to change the height of the first volume bar 81 depending on the volume level of the user's voice acquired by the volume determination unit 8a. The display control unit 8b displays the bar at a higher height when the volume level of the user's voice acquired by the volume determination unit 8a is high, and displays the bar at a lower height when the volume level is low.

[0060] In other words, the display control unit 8b is configured to display the first volume bar 81 in different colors and heights based on the judgment result, so that both the volume of the voice and whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for performing voice recognition are identifiably displayed in the first display area 13 as volume information 89 including the judgment result.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5, 6(a) to (c), and 7(a) to (c), the display control unit 8b is configured to display volume information 89 including the judgment result obtained by the volume judgment unit 8a in both the first display area 13 and the second display area 14 after voice recognition of the starting keyword.

[0062] 5, even after the voice recognition of the start keyword, the display control unit 8b displays a first volume bar 81 (see FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c)) illustrated by an illustration (icon) on the left side of the voice-recognition enabled mode image 80 in the first display area 13, just as it did before the voice recognition of the start keyword. That is, even after the voice recognition of the start keyword, the display control unit 8b displays the first volume bar 81 in a different color and height based on the determination result, just as it did before the voice recognition of the start keyword, thereby identifiably displaying both the voice volume and whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition in the first display area 13 as volume information 89 including the determination result.

[0063] Furthermore, after the voice recognition of the start keyword, the display control unit 8b, for example, displays a first character image 82 of "Listening" above the image display area in which an image including a perspective image is displayed in the second display area 14, and also displays a second volume bar 83 illustrated by an illustration (icon). That is, after the voice recognition of the start keyword, the display control unit 8b displays the first character image 82 of "Listening" and also displays the second volume bar 83 in a state in which voice recognition of the command keyword can be performed and in a state in which voice recognition of the command keyword is being performed.

[0064] The display control unit 8b is configured to display in the second display area 14 the first character image 82 of "Listening" and the second volume bar 83 in different colors to distinguish between the judgment result that the voice volume is appropriate for performing voice recognition and the judgment result that the voice volume is not appropriate for performing voice recognition.

[0065] 7A, when the volume of the user's voice acquired by the volume determination unit 8a is determined to be the first volume, which is an appropriate volume for executing voice recognition, the display control unit 8b displays, as an example, the first character image 82 of "Listening" and the second volume bar 83 in green. For convenience, the portions of the first character image 82 and the second volume bar 83 that are displayed in green are illustrated in black.

[0066] In addition, as shown in Figure 7 (b), when the volume of the user's voice acquired by the volume determination unit 8a is determined to be too low and therefore the second volume is not appropriate for performing voice recognition, the display control unit 8b displays, as an example, the first character image 82 of ``Listening'' and the second volume bar 83 in white.

[0067] 7(c), when the volume determination unit 8a determines that the volume of the user's voice acquired is too loud and therefore is the third volume, which is inappropriate for executing voice recognition, the display control unit 8b displays the first character image 82 of "Listening" and the second volume bar 83 in red, for example. For convenience, the portions of the first character image 82 and the second volume bar 83 displayed in red are illustrated by hatching.

[0068] The display control unit 8b is also configured to change the height of the second volume bar 83 depending on the volume level of the user's voice acquired by the volume determination unit 8a. The display control unit 8b displays the bar at a higher height when the volume level of the user's voice acquired by the volume determination unit 8a is high, and displays the bar at a lower height when the volume level is low.

[0069] That is, the display control unit 8b is configured to display the color of the first character image 82 of "Listening" and the color and height of the second volume bar 83 so that they are different based on the judgment result, so that both the volume of the voice and whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for performing voice recognition are identifiable in the second display area 14 as volume information 89 including the judgment result.

[0070] Furthermore, when the keyword determination processing unit 8c determines a control (function) corresponding to the instruction keyword by performing voice recognition of the instruction keyword, the display control unit 8b displays a second character image 84 (see FIG. 8 ) indicating the control (function) corresponding to the instruction keyword determined by the keyword determination processing unit 8c in the second display area 14, instead of the first character image 82 of “Listening” and the second volume bar 83. For example, when the keyword determination processing unit 8c performs voice recognition of the instruction keyword “Save,” and determines a control (function) corresponding to the instruction keyword, the display control unit 8b displays the second character image 84 of “Save” in the second display area 14, instead of the first character image 82 of “Listening” and the second volume bar 83.

[0071] When the operation unit 6 receives an input operation from the user to select the voice recognition disabled mode, the display control unit 8b displays a voice recognition disabled mode image 85 ( FIG. 9 ) in the first display area 13. The voice recognition disabled mode image 85 is an image in which an image indicating disabled, which is a circle with a line through it, is superimposed on the voice recognition enabled mode image 80 with reduced brightness.

[0072] (Keyword Determination Processing Unit) The keyword determination processing unit 8c is configured to perform keyword-based control by performing voice recognition of a keyword based on the voice received by the voice input unit 5. The keyword determination processing unit 8c is configured to start voice recognition for a command keyword by performing voice recognition of a start keyword based on the voice received by the voice input unit 5. The keyword determination processing unit 8c is also configured to execute a function corresponding to the command keyword by performing voice recognition of the command keyword based on the voice received by the voice input unit 5.

[0073] Specifically, the keyword determination processing unit 8c determines a keyword based on the voice data acquired from the voice input unit 5. As an example, the keyword determination processing unit 8c performs a voice recognition process on the voice data acquired from the voice input unit 5 to convert the voice data into text data. Then, the keyword determination processing unit 8c refers to keyword information stored in the storage unit 9 to determine control corresponding to the converted text data. Then, the keyword determination processing unit 8c executes processing corresponding to the determined control. Note that the process of determining keyword-based control by voice recognizing keywords based on the user's voice is not limited to the above example, and known techniques can be applied.

[0074] More specifically, for example, if the keyword is "Trinious" as the start keyword, the keyword determination processing unit 8c executes a voice recognition process on the voice data including "Trinious" as the start keyword, converts the voice data into text data, and refers to the keyword information to determine that the control is to start voice recognition for the specified keyword. Then, the keyword determination processing unit 8c starts voice recognition for the specified keyword.

[0075] Then, for example, when the keyword is the instruction keyword "save," the keyword determination processing unit 8c executes a voice recognition process on the voice data including the instruction keyword to convert the voice data into text data, and refers to the keyword information to determine that the control is to store the generated fluoroscopic images as moving images in the storage unit 9. Then, the keyword determination processing unit 8c stores the generated fluoroscopic images as moving images in the storage unit 9.

[0076] (Command Keywords and Control Based on Command Keywords) Command keywords and control based on command keywords in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Note that the command keywords and control based on command keywords below are examples, and are not limited to the examples below.

[0077] The command keywords include keywords relating to the fluoroscopic images to be stored in the storage unit 9 , and the control based on the command keywords includes control relating to the fluoroscopic images to be stored in the storage unit 9 .

[0078] For example, control based on the command keyword is control to store the fluoroscopic images generated by the image processing unit 7 in the storage unit 9 in the format of a moving image. In this case, the user utters "Trinious" as the start keyword and then utters "Save" as the command keyword. The control unit 8 controls based on the command keyword determined by the voice recognition process to store the fluoroscopic images generated by the image processing unit 7 in the storage unit 9 in the format of a moving image.

[0079] Furthermore, for example, control based on the command keyword is control to store in the storage unit 9 in the form of a moving image fluoroscopic images to be generated by the image processing unit 7 as a result of fluoroscopic imaging being performed by the imaging unit 4. In this case, the user utters "Trinious" as the start keyword and then utters "Save now" as the command keyword. As control based on the command keyword determined by voice recognition processing, the control unit 8 stores in the storage unit 9 in the form of a moving image fluoroscopic images to be generated by the image processing unit 7 as a result of fluoroscopic imaging being performed by the imaging unit 4.

[0080] Furthermore, for example, control based on the command keyword is control to store the final frame image of the fluoroscopic images generated by the image processing unit 7 as a result of fluoroscopic imaging in the storage unit 9. In this case, the user utters "Torious" as the start keyword and then utters "Save one image" as the command keyword. As control based on the command keyword determined by voice recognition processing, the control unit 8 stores the final frame image of the fluoroscopic images generated by the image processing unit 7 as a result of fluoroscopic imaging in the storage unit 9.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, control based on the instruction keyword is control to register the selected image as a reference image. In this case, the user utters "Torienious" as the start keyword and then utters "reference registration" as the instruction keyword. The control unit 8 registers the selected image as a reference image as control based on the instruction keyword determined by the voice recognition process.

[0082] Furthermore, for example, control based on the command keyword is control of selecting the generation of a long image by stitching together multiple vascular images captured after administering a contrast agent. In this case, the user utters "Torienious" as the start keyword and then utters "Score Choice" as the command keyword. The control unit 8 selects the generation of a long image by stitching together multiple vascular images captured after administering a contrast agent as control based on the command keyword determined by voice recognition processing.

[0083] The command keywords include keywords relating to the display of the fluoroscopic image on the display device 10 , and the control based on the command keywords includes control relating to the display of the fluoroscopic image on the display device 10 .

[0084] For example, control based on a command keyword is control to display on the display device 10 a device fixed image in which the position of a device such as a stent is fixedly displayed based on the position data of a marker in a fluoroscopic image. In this case, the user utters "Trinious" as the start keyword and then utters "Stent View" as the command keyword. As control based on the command keyword determined by voice recognition processing, the control unit 8 causes the display device 10 to display a device fixed image in which the position of a device such as a stent is fixedly displayed based on the position data of the marker in a fluoroscopic image.

[0085] Furthermore, for example, control based on a command keyword is control of an operation related to the display of a fluoroscopic image. In this case, the user utters "Torious" as a start keyword, and then utters "previous image" as a command keyword. As control based on the command keyword determined by voice recognition processing, the control unit 8 causes the display device 10 to display the fluoroscopic image of the moving image that is stored one before among the multiple fluoroscopic images of the moving image. Furthermore, when the user utters "next image" as a command keyword, the control unit 8 causes the display device 10 to display the fluoroscopic image of the moving image that is stored one after among the multiple fluoroscopic images of the moving image.

[0086] Furthermore, the user utters "Trinious" as the start keyword, and then utters "previous frame" as the command keyword. The control unit 8 controls the display device 10 to display the image of the previous frame in the perspective image of the moving image, based on the command keyword determined by the voice recognition process. Furthermore, when the user utters "next frame" as the command keyword, the control unit 8 controls the display device 10 to display the image of the next frame in the perspective image of the moving image.

[0087] Furthermore, the user utters "Trinious" as the start keyword, and then utters "play" as the command keyword. The control unit 8 plays the fluoroscopic images of the moving image as control based on the command keyword determined by the voice recognition process. Furthermore, when the user utters "stop" as the command keyword, the control unit 8 stops the playback of the fluoroscopic images of the moving image.

[0088] The control unit 8 can also perform the same control as that based on the above-mentioned instruction keyword through an input operation by the user on the touch panel of the operation unit 6. In other words, the functions that can be used by the user based on the above-mentioned instruction keyword correspond to the functions that can be used by the user through an input operation on the touch panel of the operation unit 6.

[0089] (Processing for displaying the determination result on the display device and control processing based on a keyword) The processing for displaying the determination result on the display device 10 by the control unit 8 and control processing based on a keyword by the control unit 8 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The processing for displaying the determination result on the display device 10 by the control unit 8 and control processing based on a keyword by the control unit 8 are started when an input operation by the user to select the voice recognition enabled mode is accepted by the operation unit 6. The order of the processing steps can be reversed or can be executed simultaneously as long as there is no contradiction between them.

[0090] In step S1, the control unit 8 (volume determination unit 8a) acquires the user's voice received by the voice input unit 5 and determines whether the volume of the acquired voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition based on the volume of the acquired voice. Then, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0091] In step S2, the control unit 8 (display control unit 8b) displays the voice recognition enabled mode image 80 and the first volume bar 81 as the volume information 89 in the first display area 13. The control unit 8 (display control unit 8b) also displays the determination result by the volume determination unit 8a in an identifiable manner in the first volume bar 81. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0092] In step S3, the control unit 8 (keyword determination processing unit 8c) starts the voice recognition process for the start keyword based on the voice received by the voice input unit 5. After that, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0093] In step S4, if the control unit 8 (keyword determination processing unit 8c) determines that the control is to start voice recognition for the specified keyword by voice recognizing the starting keyword (Yes in step S4), the processing proceeds to step S5, and if it does not determine that the control is to start voice recognition for the specified keyword (No in step S4), the processing proceeds to step S4.

[0094] In step S5, the control unit 8 (display control unit 8b) displays the first character image 82 of "Listening" and the second volume bar 83 as volume information 89 in the second display area 14. The control unit 8 (display control unit 8b) also displays the determination result by the volume determination unit 8a in the first character image 82 of "Listening" and the second volume bar 83 so that they can be distinguished. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0095] In step S6, the control unit 8 (keyword determination processing unit 8c) starts a voice recognition process for the specified keyword based on the voice received by the voice input unit 5. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0096] In step S7, if the control unit 8 (keyword determination processing unit 8c) determines a control (function) corresponding to the specified keyword by voice recognition of the specified keyword (Yes in step S7), the processing proceeds to step S8, and if it does not determine a control (function) corresponding to the specified keyword (No in step S7), the processing proceeds to step S7.

[0097] In step S8, the control unit 8 (keyword determination processing unit 8c) displays a second character image 84 indicating the control (function) corresponding to the specified keyword in the second display area 14, instead of the first character image 82 of “Listening” and the second volume bar 83.

[0098] In step S9, the control unit 8 (keyword determination processing unit 8c) performs control (function) corresponding to the specified keyword, and then the process ends.

[0099] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0100] In the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 8 is configured to control the notifying unit 1 to notify the volume information 89 relating to the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit 5. As a result, for example, the notifying unit 1 notifies the volume information 89 relating to the volume of the user's voice based on the speech of a user such as a doctor or technician input to the voice input unit 5 during an examination or treatment of a subject. Therefore, the user can grasp the volume of the user's voice input to the voice input unit 5 through the notification by the notifying unit 1.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 8 is configured to perform control to determine whether the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit 5 is appropriate for executing voice recognition, based on the volume of the voice, and to control the notification unit 1 to notify the determination result. As a result, the determination result as to whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition is notified by the notification unit 1. Therefore, the user can know the volume of the user's voice input to the voice input unit 5 and whether the volume of the user's voice is at a volume at which voice recognition is possible, based on the notification by the notification unit 1.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the following additional effects can be obtained by the following configuration.

[0103] That is, in this embodiment, as described above, the notification unit 1 includes the display device 10, and the control unit 8 is configured to perform control to display the volume information 89 on the display device 10. As a result, the volume information 89 relating to the volume of the user's voice is displayed on the display device 10, and the user can easily visually grasp the volume of the user's voice from the display on the display device 10.

[0104] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 8 is configured to perform control to determine whether or not the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit 5 is appropriate for executing voice recognition, and control to display volume information 89 including the determination result on the display device 10. As a result, the determination result as to whether or not the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition is displayed on the display device 10, and the user can easily visually determine from the display on the display device 10 whether or not the volume of the user's voice is at a volume at which voice recognition is possible.

[0105] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 8 is configured to cause the display device 10 to identifiably display both the voice volume and whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition as volume information 89 including the determination result. As a result, both the voice volume and whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition are identifiably displayed on the display device 10 as the determination result, so that the user can easily visually grasp whether the user's voice volume is appropriate for voice recognition.

[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the display device 10 includes the image processing unit 7 that generates an image based on a detection signal output from the X-ray detection unit 41, the display device 10 includes a first display area 13 and a second display area 14 in which an image is displayed and which is different from the first display area 13, and the control unit 8 is configured to perform control to display volume information 89 in the first display area 13 before voice recognition of the start keyword and control to display volume information 89 in both the first display area 13 and the second display area 14 after voice recognition of the start keyword. As a result, before voice recognition of the start keyword, the volume information 89 is displayed in the first display area 13 that is different from the second display area 14 in which the image is displayed, so that the user can prevent the display of the volume information 89 from interfering with the viewing of the image. Furthermore, after voice recognition of the start keyword, the volume information 89 is also displayed in the second display area 14 in which the image is displayed, so that the user can easily visually grasp the volume of the voice of the specified keyword while viewing the image.

[0107] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the display device moving mechanism 2 is provided which moves the voice input unit 5 in at least one of the horizontal and vertical directions, or rotates it about the vertical axis 92. As a result, the voice input unit 5 can be moved or rotated by the display device moving mechanism 2, and therefore the voice input unit 5 can be moved or rotated to a position where the user's voice can easily reach. Furthermore, in cases where the X-ray irradiator 40 and the X-ray detector 41 move in accordance with the imaging region of the subject, and there is a possibility that the voice input unit 5 may interfere with the X-ray irradiator 40 and the X-ray detector 41, the voice input unit 5 can be moved to a position where it does not interfere with the X-ray irradiator 40 and the X-ray detector 41.

[0108] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 8 is configured to be able to switch between a voice recognition enabled mode in which keyword-based control is performed by voice recognizing keywords, and a voice recognition disabled mode in which the voice recognition enabled mode is disabled. In the voice recognition enabled mode, the control unit 8 is configured to constantly perform control to determine whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition based on the voice volume received by the voice input unit 5, and control to cause the notification unit 1 to notify volume information 89 including the determination result. Here, the relative position and distance between the voice input unit 5 and the user change as the voice input unit 5 moves, so the volume of the user's voice received by the voice input unit 5 may change. By constantly performing control to determine whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition and control to cause the notification unit 1 to notify volume information 89 including the determination result in the voice recognition enabled mode, even if the relative position and distance between the voice input unit 5 and the user change, the user can know whether the volume of the user's voice is at a level at which voice recognition is possible immediately after the relative position and distance change.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the notification unit 1 includes the display device 10, the voice input unit 5 is provided on the display device 10, and the display device moving mechanism 2 is configured to move the display device 10 together with the voice input unit 5 in at least one of the horizontal and vertical directions or rotate it around a vertical axis 92. Here, when a user issues a keyword while visually viewing an X-ray image or a fluoroscopic image displayed on the display device 10, the user's face faces the display device 10. Since the voice input unit 5 is provided on the display device 10, the user's voice can reach the voice input unit 5 linearly. Furthermore, since both the display device 10 and the voice input unit 5 can be moved or rotated by the display device moving mechanism 2, the display device 10 and the voice input unit 5 can be moved to positions where they do not interfere with the X-ray irradiation unit 40 and the X-ray detection unit 41.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the display device 10 is provided so as to be suspended from the ceiling 90 in the imaging room 91 via the display device moving mechanism 2, and is configured to display volume information 89 including the determination result under the control of the control unit 8. As a result, since the display device 10 is provided so as to be suspended from the ceiling 90 in the imaging room 91 and the audio input unit 5 is provided in the display device 10, the voice of the user who turns his face upward to view the X-ray image, fluoroscopic image, etc. displayed on the display device 10 can easily reach the audio input unit 5.

[0111] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 8 is configured to cause the display device 10 to display, in different colors, the volume information 89 including the determination result that the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition and the volume information 89 including the determination result that the voice volume is inappropriate for executing voice recognition so that they can be distinguished from each other. As a result, the volume information 89 including the determination result that the voice volume is appropriate and the volume information 89 including the determination result that the voice volume is inappropriate are displayed in different colors so that they can be distinguished from each other on the display device 10, allowing the user to visually more easily grasp whether the volume of the user's voice is at a level at which voice recognition is possible.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the image processing unit 7 is provided which generates a fluoroscopic image and a blood vessel image of the subject including an image of a contrast agent based on a detection signal output from the X-ray detection unit 41, and the command keywords include at least one of a command keyword related to the fluoroscopic image to be stored in the storage unit 9, a command keyword related to the display of the fluoroscopic image on the display device 10, and a command keyword related to the selection of generating a long image by stitching together a plurality of blood vessel images captured after administering a contrast agent. This allows the user to input at least one of a function related to the fluoroscopic image to be stored in the storage unit 9, a function related to the display of the fluoroscopic image on the display device 10, and a selection of generating a long image by stitching together a plurality of blood vessel images captured after administering a contrast agent, by uttering the command keyword, thereby eliminating the need for input operations using fingers or hands on the operation unit 6 such as a touch panel.

[0113] [Modifications] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, and further includes all modifications (modifications) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0114] For example, in the above embodiment, the notification unit includes a display device, and the control unit is configured to display the determination result on the display device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notification unit may be a speaker, earphones worn in the user's ears, or headphones worn on the user's head, and the control unit may be configured to notify the volume information by sound via the speaker, earphones, or headphones.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine whether the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit is appropriate for speech recognition and to display volume information including the determination result on the display device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit does not have to determine whether the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit is appropriate for speech recognition. In this case, the control unit may be configured to display volume information regarding the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit as a bar on the display device, without displaying volume information including the first volume bar, the first character image, and the second volume bar as the determination result.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the display device to display volume information related to the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit before and after voice recognition of the start keyword, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured to control the display device to display volume information related to the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit at least before voice recognition of the start keyword.

[0117] In the above embodiment, the control unit and the storage unit are included in the X-ray imaging device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 12 , in an X-ray imaging system 110 according to a first modification, a control unit 8 that determines whether the volume of a user's voice is appropriate for performing voice recognition based on the volume of the user's voice and displays the determination result on a display device, and performs keyword-based control by recognizing keywords based on the user's voice, and a storage unit 9 may be provided on a cloud server 93 without being included in the X-ray imaging device, and may be configured to be able to communicate with the X-ray imaging device 210 via a network 94. Note that a part of the control unit 8 including a volume determination unit 8a, a display control unit 8b, and a keyword determination processing unit 8c, and the storage unit 9 may be provided on the cloud server 93 without being included in the X-ray imaging device, and may be configured to be able to communicate with the X-ray imaging device 210 via the network 94.

[0118] In addition, in the above embodiment, the control unit obtains a determination result as to whether the volume of the audio is the first volume, the second volume, or the third volume, and if the determination result is that the audio volume is the first volume, displays the first volume bar, the second volume bar, and the first character image of "Listening" in green; if the determination result is that the audio volume is the second volume, displays the first volume bar, the second volume bar, and the first character image of "Listening" in white; and if the determination result is that the audio volume is the third volume, displays the first volume bar, the second volume bar, and the first character image of "Listening" in red; however, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0119] For example, the colors indicating the determination results for the first volume, the second volume, and the third volume are not particularly limited and may be configured to use various colors. Also, the first character image is not limited to "Listening" and may be another character image.

[0120] 13 , the first display area 13 may be provided with a first frame 86 on its inner edge, and the control unit 8 may be configured to display, in the first frame 86, volume information 89 including a determination result that the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition and volume information 89 including a determination result that the voice volume is inappropriate for executing voice recognition in different colors so as to be distinguishable from each other, instead of the first volume bar 81. The second display area 14 may be provided with a second frame 87 on its inner edge, and the control unit 8 may be configured to display, in the second frame 87, volume information 89 including a determination result that the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition and volume information 89 including a determination result that the voice volume is inappropriate for executing voice recognition in different colors so as to be distinguishable from each other, instead of the second volume bar 83 and the first character image 82 of “Listening.”

[0121] 14 , the control unit 8 may be configured to identifiably display, in the first display area, an icon 88 indicating a facial expression corresponding to whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition, instead of the first volume bar 81. For example, if the determination result is the first volume, a smiling icon 88a (see FIG. 14(a) ) is displayed as the volume information 89. If the determination result is the second volume, a neutral icon 88b (see FIG. 14(b) ) is displayed as the volume information 89. If the determination result is the third volume, a frown icon 88c (see FIG. 14(c) ) is displayed as the volume information 89. For example, the control unit 8 may be configured to identifiably display, in the second display area, an icon indicating a facial expression corresponding to whether the voice volume is appropriate for executing voice recognition, instead of the second volume bar and the first character image of “Listening.” For example, if the determination result is that the volume is the first volume, a smiling icon 88a (see Figure 14(a)) is displayed as the volume information 89, if the determination result is that the volume is the second volume, a neutral icon 88b (see Figure 14(b)) is displayed as the volume information 89, and if the determination result is that the volume is the third volume, a frown icon 88c (see Figure 14(c)) is displayed as the volume information 89.

[0122] Furthermore, for example, the control unit may be configured to acquire a determination result as to whether the volume of the audio is the first volume or the second volume, and to cause the display device to display volume information including the determination result that the audio volume is the first volume and volume information including the determination result that the audio volume is the second volume in different colors so that they can be distinguished from each other. In other words, the control unit may not acquire a determination result that the audio volume is the third volume, and may not cause the display device to display volume information including the determination result that the audio volume is the third volume.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the control unit displays both the first character image of "Listening" and the second volume bar after speech recognition of the start keyword, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured to display either the first character image of "Listening" or the second volume bar in the second display area after speech recognition of the start keyword.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the control unit is configured to cause the display device to identifiably display both the volume of the voice and whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition as volume information including the determination result, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured to cause the display device to display only whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing voice recognition as volume information including the determination result.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the audio input unit is detachably attached to the handle of the display device via an attachment member, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the audio input unit may be configured as a sound pickup microphone built into the monitor of the display device.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the control unit constantly determines whether the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit is appropriate for executing voice recognition during the voice recognition enabled mode, based on the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit, and causes the display device to display the determination result. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured to determine whether the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit is appropriate for executing voice recognition, based on the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit, at least before voice recognition of the start keyword, and cause the display device to display volume information including the determination result.

[0127] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the control unit displays the determination result in the first display area before voice recognition of the start keyword and displays the determination result in both the first display area and the second display area after voice recognition of the start keyword, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured to display the determination result only in the first display area both before and after voice recognition of the start keyword, or may be configured to display the determination result in both the first display area and the second display area both before and after voice recognition of the start keyword.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the display device movement mechanism is configured to be able to move the display device in the horizontal direction (directions along the longitudinal direction of the tabletop and along the lateral direction of the tabletop) and in the up-down direction, and to be able to rotate the display device around a vertical axis, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display device movement mechanism may be configured to be able to move the display device in only one or both of the horizontal direction and the up-down direction, or may be configured to be unable to rotate the display device around a vertical axis.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the display device is suspended from the ceiling of the imaging room, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display device may be supported on the floor of the imaging room.

[0130] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the voice recognition enabled mode and the voice recognition disabled mode were included, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there may be only the voice recognition enabled mode without the voice recognition disabled mode.

[0131] Aspects It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0132] (Item 1) An X-ray imaging system comprising: an X-ray irradiation unit; an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit; a voice input unit that accepts voice input from a user; an alarm unit; and a control unit that performs keyword-based control by voice recognition of keywords including a start keyword and a command keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, wherein the control unit is configured to: control to start the voice recognition for the command keyword by voice recognition of the start keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit; and control to execute a function corresponding to the command keyword by voice recognition of the command keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, and to control the alarm unit to report volume information regarding the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword.

[0133] (Item 2) The X-ray imaging system according to Item 1, wherein the notification unit includes a display device, and the control unit is configured to control the display device to display the volume information at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword.

[0134] (Item 3) The X-ray imaging system described in Item 2, wherein the control unit is configured to perform, at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword, control to determine whether the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit is appropriate for performing the voice recognition, and control to display the volume information including the determination result on the display device.

[0135] (Item 4) In the X-ray imaging system according to Item 3, the control unit is configured to cause the display device to identifiably display, as the volume information including the determination result, both the volume of the voice and whether the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing the voice recognition.

[0136] (Item 5) An X-ray imaging system according to any one of items 2 to 4, further comprising an image processing unit that generates an image based on a detection signal output from the X-ray detection unit, wherein the display device includes a first display area and a second display area different from the first display area and in which the X-ray image is displayed, and the control unit is configured to: control the volume information to be displayed in the first display area before the voice recognition of the start keyword; and control the volume information to be displayed in both the first display area and the second display area after the voice recognition of the start keyword.

[0137] (Item 6) The X-ray imaging system according to any one of Items 1 to 5, further comprising a moving unit that moves the voice input unit in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, or rotates the voice input unit around a vertical axis.

[0138] (Item 7) The control unit is configured to be able to switch between a voice recognition enabled mode in which control is performed based on the keyword by voice recognition of the keyword, and a voice recognition disabled mode in which the voice recognition enabled mode is disabled, and is configured to constantly perform control in the voice recognition enabled mode to determine whether the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit is appropriate for executing the voice recognition, and control to cause the notification unit to notify the volume information including the determination result.

[0139] (Item 8) An X-ray imaging system according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the notification unit includes a display device, the audio input unit is provided on the display device, and the movement unit is configured to move the display device together with the audio input unit in at least one of the horizontal and vertical directions, or to rotate the display device around a vertical axis.

[0140] (Item 9) The X-ray imaging system according to Item 8, wherein the display device is suspended from the ceiling of a room in which the X-ray irradiation unit and the X-ray detection unit are provided via the moving unit, and is configured to display the volume information including the determination result under the control of the control unit.

[0141] (Item 10) The X-ray imaging system according to any one of items 3 to 5, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the display device to display the volume information including the determination result that the volume of the voice is appropriate for executing the voice recognition and the volume information including the determination result that the volume of the voice is not appropriate for executing the voice recognition in different colors so that they can be distinguished from each other.

[0142] (Item 11) An X-ray imaging system according to any one of items 1 to 10, further comprising an image processing unit that generates a fluoroscopic image and a vascular image of the subject including an image of a contrast agent based on a detection signal output from the X-ray detection unit, wherein the instruction keyword includes at least one of the instruction keyword related to the fluoroscopic image to be stored in a memory unit, the instruction keyword related to display of the fluoroscopic image on the display device, and the instruction keyword related to selection of generation of a long image by connecting together multiple vascular images captured after administering a contrast agent.

[0143] (Item 12) An X-ray imaging system comprising: an X-ray irradiation unit; an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit; a voice input unit that accepts voice input from a user; an alarm unit; and a control unit that performs control based on the keyword by voice recognition of a keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control to determine whether the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit is appropriate for performing voice recognition, based on the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit, and control to notify the alarm unit of the determination result.

[0144] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Notification unit 2 Display device moving mechanism (moving unit) 5 Audio input unit 7 Image processing unit 8 Control unit 10 Display device 13 First display area 14 Second display area 40 X-ray irradiation unit 41 X-ray detection unit 89 Volume information 90 Ceiling 92 Vertical axis 100, 110 X-ray imaging system

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging system comprising: an X-ray irradiation unit; an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit; a voice input unit that accepts voice input from a user; an alarm unit; and a control unit that performs control based on the keywords by voice recognizing keywords including a start keyword and a command keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, wherein the control unit is configured to: control to start the voice recognition for the command keyword by voice recognizing the start keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit; and control to execute a function corresponding to the command keyword by voice recognizing the command keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, and to control the alarm unit to report volume information regarding the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword.

2. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes a display device, and the control unit is configured to control the display device to display the volume information at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword.

3. The X-ray imaging system of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to, at least before the voice recognition of the start keyword, perform control to determine whether the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit is appropriate for performing the voice recognition, based on the volume of the voice, and control to display the volume information including the determination result on the display device.

4. The X-ray imaging system of claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the display device to identifiably display both the volume of the voice and whether or not the volume of the voice is appropriate for performing the voice recognition as the volume information including the judgment result.

5. An X-ray imaging system as described in claim 2, further comprising an image processing unit that generates an image based on a detection signal output from the X-ray detection unit, wherein the display device includes a first display area and a second display area different from the first display area in which the image is displayed, and the control unit is configured to: control the volume information to be displayed in the first display area before the voice recognition of the start keyword; and control the volume information to be displayed in both the first display area and the second display area after the voice recognition of the start keyword.

6. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit that moves the voice input unit in at least one of the horizontal and vertical directions, or rotates the voice input unit around a vertical axis.

7. The X-ray imaging system of claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to be able to switch between a voice recognition enabled mode in which control is performed based on the keyword by voice recognition of the keyword, and a voice recognition disabled mode in which the voice recognition enabled mode is disabled, and is configured to constantly perform control in the voice recognition enabled mode to determine whether the volume of the voice received by the voice input unit is appropriate for executing the voice recognition, and to control the notification unit to notify the volume information including the determination result.

8. An X-ray imaging system as described in claim 6, wherein the notification unit includes a display device, the audio input unit is provided on the display device, and the movement unit is configured to move the display device together with the audio input unit in at least one of the horizontal and vertical directions, or to rotate it around a vertical axis.

9. An X-ray imaging system as described in claim 8, wherein the display device is suspended from the ceiling of a room in which the X-ray irradiation unit and the X-ray detection unit are installed via the moving unit, and is configured to display the judgment result under the control of the control unit.

10. The X-ray imaging system of claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the display device to display the volume information including the judgment result that the volume of the voice is appropriate for performing the voice recognition and the volume information including the judgment result that the volume of the voice is not appropriate for performing the voice recognition in different colors so that they can be distinguished from each other.

11. An X-ray imaging system as described in claim 4, further comprising an image processing unit that generates a fluoroscopic image and a vascular image of the subject including an image of a contrast agent based on a detection signal output from the X-ray detection unit, wherein the instruction keywords include at least one of an instruction keyword related to the fluoroscopic image to be stored in a memory unit, an instruction keyword related to the display of the fluoroscopic image on the display device, and an instruction keyword related to the selection of generating a long image by connecting together multiple vascular images taken after administering a contrast agent.

12. An X-ray imaging system comprising: an X-ray irradiation unit; an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit; a voice input unit that accepts voice input from a user; an alarm unit; and a control unit that performs control based on the keyword by voice recognition of a keyword based on the voice accepted by the voice input unit, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control to determine whether the volume of the voice accepted by the voice input unit is appropriate for performing voice recognition, based on the volume of the voice, and to control the alarm unit to notify the judgment result.

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