Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Patent
1997-09-15
1999-07-20
Zimmerman, Mark K.
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
G09G 500
Patent
active
059261650
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to the display of one or more neighboring images or sub-groups of images as a part of a larger group of images wherefrom the image or images to be displayed can be selected.
A need for such a type of display exists, for example in the medical field, notably if a selection of images from among a plurality of X-ray images showing, for example the development of a diseased area of a patient over a given period of time, is to be reproduced more clearly, i.e. with an increase in scale. Basically, it is not problematic to select a single image or several neighboring images from a plurality of images and to display these images completely on a display screen or, in the case of a single large image instead of the group of images, to zoom or enlarge a detail, notably if the image data for the group of images or the large image enable a high resolution. However, once the selected or enlarged display has been realized, the overall view of the group of images or the large image will be lost and in order to regain this overall view, the entire group of images or the large image should then be displayed again in order to enable individual images or a part to be selected therefrom again. This is very unattractive with a view to ease of operation.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device which enable individual images or sub-groups of images or a part of an image to be selected simply and distinctly from a group of images, which may also consist of one large image, and also enable a fast and distinct change over to other images or sub-groups of images or parts of an image.
This object is achieved according to the invention by means of the method disclosed in claim 1 and the device disclosed in claim 6.
Thus, an auxiliary image which occupies only a small part of the screen surface area is displayed on the display screen and the entire group of images, or the large image, is reproduced in the auxiliary image at a strongly reduced scale. This auxiliary image is permanently preserved, thus occupying a small part of the display screen or one display screen, but the overall view of the entire group of images is thus permanently maintained. The size of the auxiliary image is dependent on the magnitude, i.e. the size of the group of images. When additional images are included in the group of images, the auxiliary image will become larger because the scale of reduction is effectively maintained constant. A frame is reproduced in the auxiliary image and the part which is situated within a frame reproduced in the auxiliary image is displayed completely on the display screen, be it that a small part thereof is masked by the auxiliary image. The position and the dimensions of the frame reproduced can be shifted and enlarged or reduced, respectively, via a keyboard or a so-called mouse, and the part of the auxiliary image which is situated within the frame is always automatically displayed on the display screen. The auxiliary image constitutes as if it were a virtual display screen wherefrom the real display screen is automatically selected by the frame. Because of the permanent display of the auxiliary image, however, the overall view of the entire group of images or the large image will be preserved.
It is to be noted that use can also be made of a plurality of closely adjacent display screens which together constitute a logic display surface, different parts of the image to be displayed then being reproduced on different display screens. The auxiliary image is then displayed on one of the display screens only. The window reproduced in the auxiliary image may also contain a plurality of images or sub-groups of images; in this case preferably one of the images contained in the window, or one of the sub-groups of images, is displayed on each of the plurality of display screens.
Preferably, the magnitude of the group of images wherefrom the part is selected can be changed by including further images or sub-groups or by erasing images present. The size of the auxiliary image then changes ac
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Grewer Rudiger
Monnich Karl-Jurgen
Schmidt Joachim
Wendler Thomas
Laneau Ronald
Renfrew, Jr. Dwight H.
U.S. Philips Corporation
Zimmerman Mark K.
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