Three-dimensional image display device in network

• US 6,683,933 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2002
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TeraRecon Inc. (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: TeraRecon Inc. (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Kazuo, Saito, Motoaki, Zhao, Tiecheng, Simha, Vikram
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US10/136,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 378/4, 378/8, 378/15, 378/901
• US Class Current: 378/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/005 General purpose rendering architectures
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

A three-dimensional image processing system enables multiple users at distant locations employing ordinary personal computers to construct and observe three-dimensional images simultaneously. In a network environment, a three-dimensional image processing device acquires image data and incorporates it into three-dimensional voxels based on instructions from the computers. The device operates on the three-dimensional voxels using object space domain, opacity and color parameters to construct three-dimensional data and operates on the three-dimensional data using projection processing parameters to construct three-dimensional images. The system sets projection processing parameters for constructing three-dimensional images from three-dimensional data and displays three-dimensional images which may be routed to the various computers via the network.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional image processing system for use in a network environment comprising

a three-dimensional image processing device including

means for acquiring image data used in three-dimensional image production based on instructions from control computers,

means for subjecting the image data to pre-processing to incorporate it into three-dimensional voxels,

means for operating on the three-dimensional voxel image element values using object parameters that designate the color, opacity and space domain of the multiple objects that constitute the specimen so at to produce a single three-dimensional data construct, and

means for operating on the three-dimensional data construct using projection processing parameters to construct three-dimensional images;

multiple control computers each including

means for designating image data used in three-dimensional image production,

means for designating object parameters that designate the color, opacity and space domain of the multiple objects that constitute the specimen,

means for setting projection processing parameters for constructing three-dimensional images from three-dimensional data,

means for relaying these instructions to the three-dimensional image processing device, and

means for displaying the three-dimensional images produced by the three-dimensional image processing device, and

network means for connecting said three-dimensional image processing device and said control computers.

2. The three-dimensional image processing system in a network environment as defined in claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional image processing device includes an image storage means having an image server function for a medical picture archival and communications system (PACS) to produce an integrated structure, so that the image data storage and three-dimensional image processing are closely linked thereby increasing the speed of acquisition of image data for constructing three-dimensional images, and decreasing network load.

3. The three-dimensional image processing system in a network environment as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said three-dimensional image processing device is constituted so that processing related to acquisition of image data for constructing three-dimensional images, production of three-dimensional voxels, production of three-dimensional data and production of three-dimensional images are carried out in a minimal period of time whereby other than production and transmission of control signals, the control computers carry out only receipt and display of three-dimensional images constructed by the three-dimensional image processing device, thereby achieving interactivity in terms of display of three-dimensional images and operations on the control computers.

4. The three-dimensional image processing system in a network environment defined in claim 3, wherein said network means comprise a medium or low-speed network able to achieve interactivity in terms of operation and display of three-dimensional images on the control computers.

5. The three-dimensional image processing system in a network environment defined in claim 3, wherein even when said control computers comprise medium or low-speed computers, it is possible to achieve interactivity in terms of operation and display of three-dimensional images on said control computers.

6. The three-dimensional image processing system in a network environment as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein

said three-dimensional image processing device carries out acquisition of image data for constructing three-dimensional images, production of three-dimensional voxels, production of three-dimensional data, and production of three-dimensional images and,

other than production and transmission of control signals, said control computers carry out only receipt and display of three-dimensional images constructed by the three-dimensional image processing device, whereby said control computers simultaneously display three-dimensional images by operations carried out on only one of said control computers.

7. The three-dimensional image processing system in a network environment as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein

the three-dimensional image processing device includes means for compressing image data at the time of transmission of the constructed three-dimensional images, and

the control computers carry out restoration of image data upon receipt of the three-dimensional images, whereby even when said network means comprise a medium or low-speed network, it is possible to achieve interactivity in terms of operation and display response with three-dimensional images on the control computers.