Method and apparatus for simultaneous construction of multiple data objects for image transfer

• US 6,417,870 B1
• Filed: 04/28/1999
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Shiibashi, Takao, Stratton, Gregory C., Brackett, Charles C., Lehouillier, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Kieu D.
• Application Number:
  US09/301,272
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 345/771, 345/748, 345/810, 345/840, 345/845, 358/1.15, 358/401, 358/403, 709/327, 709/320
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

An imaging system which constructs multiple DICOM objects substantially simultaneously for image transfer to multiple remotely located devices via a network. The imager is programmed with multiple DICOM tasks, each task constructing DICOM-formatted data objects using image data and attribute data. In response to pressing of an image transfer button which is configured for multiple remote devices, a corresponding multiplicity of DICOM tasks will be started substantially simultaneously. These concurrently running tasks are performed using conventional multi-tasking principles.

Claims

1. A method for sending image frame data from an imaging system to multiple remote devices, comprising the steps of:

mapping first and second object constructing tasks to an input device on an operator interface of said imaging system;

acquiring a frame of image data;

moving said input device from a first position to a second position;

causing said first object constructing task to construct a first data object incorporating said frame of image data in response to said moving step, said first data object being constructed in a format compatible with a first remote device;

causing said second object constructing task to construct a second data object incorporating said frame of image data in response to said moving step, said second data object being constructed in a format compatible with a second remote device, said second data object being different than said first data object;

sending said first data object to said first remote device via a network; and

sending said second data object to said second remote device via said network.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of mapping is performed in response to device control settings inputted via said operator interface.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said steps of constructing first and second data objects are begun substantially simultaneously.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said steps of constructing first and second data objects are performed using multi-tasking.

5. A system comprising:

a networking port for communicating with first and second remote devices on a network;

an operator interface comprising an input device which is movable from a first position to a second position;

a memory for storing a frame of image data in an image file;

a first object constructing task for constructing a first data object incorporating said frame of image data, said first data object being constructed in a format compatible with said first remote device;

a second object constructing task for constructing a second data object incorporating said frame of image data, said second data object being constructed in a format compatible with said second remote device, said second data object, being different than said first data object;

a mapping of said first and second object constructing tasks to said input device for causing said first and second object constructing tasks to construct said first and second data objects respectively in response to movement of said first input device from said first position to said second position; and

means for transferring said first and second data objects to said networking port.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a device control mapping manager that constructs said mapping as a function of device control settings inputted via said operator interface.

7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said first and second object constructing tasks are begun substantially simultaneously.

8. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said first and second object constructing tasks are performed using multi-tasking.

9. A system comprising:

a networking port for communicating with first and second remote devices on a network;

an operator interface comprising an input device which is movable from a first position to a second position;

a memory for storing a frame of image data in an image file; and

a computer programmed to perform the following steps;

(a) retrieving said image file from said memory;

(b) constructing a first data object incorporating said frame of image data in response to movement of said input device from said first position to said second position, said first data object being constructed to further incorporate first attribute information required by said first remote device;

(c) constructing a second data object incorporating said frame of image data in response to said movement of said input device from said first position to said second position, said second data object being constructed to further incorporate second attribute information required by said second remote device, said second attribute information being different than said first attribute information; and

(d) transferring said first and second data objects to said networking port.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said computer is further programmed with a device control mapping manager for mapping said steps of constructing first and second data objects to said input device.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein said device control mapping manager constructs said mapping as a function of device control settings inputted via said operator interface.

12. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said first and second object constructing tasks are begun substantially simultaneously.

13. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said first and second object constructing tasks are performed using multi-tasking.

14. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said first and second attribute information conforms to a DICOM standard.

15. An imaging system comprising:

an image acquisition subsystem comprising a transducer for scanning a medical patient;

a networking port for communicating with first and second remote devices on a network;

a memory for storing a frame of image data in an image file, said frame having been acquired by said image acquisition subsystem;

a first object constructing task for constructing a first data object incorporating said frame of image data a first attribute information required by said first remote device;

a second object constructing task for constructing a second data object incorporating said frame of image data and second attribute information required by said second remote device, said second attribute information being different than said first attribute information; and

means for transferring said first and second data objects to said networking port.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said first and second object constructing tasks are performed using multi-tasking.

17. The imaging system as recited in claim 15, wherein said first and second attribute information conforms to a DICOM standard.

18. A system comprising:

a networking port for communicating with first and second remote devices on a network;

an operator interface comprising an input device which is changeable from a first state to a second state;

a memory for storing a frame of image data in an image file; and

a computer programmed to perform the following steps;

(a) retrieving said image file from said memory;

(b) constructing a first data object incorporating said frame of image data in response to change of said input device from said first state to said second state, said first data object being constructed to further incorporate first attribute information required by said first remote device;

(c) constructing a second data object incorporating said frame of image data in response to said movement of said input device from said first position to said second position, said second data object being constructed to further incorporate second attribute information required by said second remote device, said second attribute information being different than said first attribute information; and

(d) transferring said first and second data objects to said networking port.