JP4810141B2 - Image management apparatus and image management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image management apparatus and an image management method, and more particularly to an image management apparatus and an image management method for managing a captured image captured as a medical image and a processed image created from the captured image.

  Conventionally, in the medical field, various modalities such as X-ray imaging apparatus, CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, CR (Computed Radiography) using radiation such as X-rays are used for diagnosis. It is used for.

  These digital images are stored in a format based on a standard generally called DICOM (Digital and Communication in Medicine). This format has a hierarchical structure, with an inspection layer at the top level, a series layer under the inspection, and an image layer under the series.

  Since these layers are considered based on photographing, the inspection is the highest layer. For this reason, when a DICOM image is retrieved from a database and displayed as a list, a list of examinations, which is the highest layer, is generally displayed.

  Each digital image is classified into classes according to modalities. For example, a CT image is classified as a CT class, and a CR image is classified as a CR class. More specifically, for example, in the case of the CT class, an ID representing the CT class is described in the image header.

  On the other hand, a new digital image can be created by performing image processing on the digital image. Such newly created images are classified into a class called SC (secondary capture).

  On the other hand, in X-ray imaging for medical diagnosis, a film screen system combining an intensifying screen and an X-ray photographic film has been used. In the imaging method using this system, X-rays that have passed through the subject contain internal information about the subject, which is converted into visible light proportional to the intensity of the X-rays by an intensifying screen, and the X-ray photographic film is exposed. An X-ray image is formed on the film.

  Conventionally, when making a diagnosis using such a film, in order to judge the progress of disease or the progress of healing, two images that are spaced apart over time are arranged on a Schaukasten etc. and compared with each other. .

  On the other hand, in fields such as orthopedics, in order to shoot a large subject that could not fit in a single shooting, multiple X-rays were taken and diagnosis and measurement were performed by connecting multiple films. .

  For example, for scoliosis, it is necessary to capture the entire view of the spine, but the subject may be larger than the size of the imaging device, and may not be able to be captured with a single image. In this case, photographing was performed in two steps, and the two X-ray films thus prepared were used to judge the symptom by physically sticking them together with an adhesive tape or the like.

  On the other hand, recently, there are various methods such as a method of reading out a latent image of an X-ray intensity distribution as energy in a photostimulable phosphor, a method of directly reading out the fluorescence distribution of the phosphor by X-ray as an image, a technique not using the fluorescence distribution An X-ray digital imaging apparatus that reads out a radiographic image as an electrical signal by a method and digitally converts it into a digital image has begun to be used.

  As a result, captured images can be captured as digital data, so that it is possible to take a difference between digital data that are spaced with time by image processing. In this way, conventionally, two images are arranged in a Sharksten or the like and compared with each other to determine the progress or cure status of the disease in the human head.

  In recent years, as described above, X-ray digital imaging can be performed, and image data can be acquired as digital data. Therefore, a difference between two X-ray images can be obtained as a reference image and displayed on a monitor or the like as a difference image. As described above, the healing progress is clearly progressed by referring to the difference image by the digital image processing without judging the change of the progressed state and the healing state of the lesioned part by comparing with the past image. Shows progress. Therefore, presenting the difference image is a very effective means for supporting the judgment of the doctor.

  On the other hand, in the field of orthopedics, image data can be handled as digital data as well, so two images have been joined by physically pasting them with adhesive tape. By connecting them by digital image processing, it has become possible to connect and diagnose two images more easily and accurately. As a result, what has conventionally been measured by physically bonding two films together can be measured instantaneously on a monitor, and this is an effective means for reducing the burden on the doctor. It has become.

  Here, as a conventional example of a method for displaying an image processed in the past, there is a method of storing an image processing history (for example, Patent Document 1).

  There is also a method of creating incidental information including information indicating a storage location of image data (for example, Patent Document 2).

  In addition, a combined compression / registration technique for realizing temporal subtraction as an application service provider in order to detect temporal changes in medical imaging is also disclosed (for example, Patent Document 3).

  In addition, information on whether or not calculation between images is performed, and if calculation between images is performed, history information such as information for specifying an image based on the calculation is attached to each image. An image display device that facilitates searching and the like is also disclosed (for example, Patent Document 4).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-284891 JP 2003-196300 A JP 2003-126046 A JP 2001-218110 A

  However, in any of the conventional techniques, if images of a plurality of classes are displayed in the order of examination dates, images of a plurality of classes are mixedly displayed, which impedes thinking for diagnosis and becomes very troublesome. In order to avoid this problem, if an attempt is made to classify and display for each class so that a plurality of classes are not displayed at the same time, there is a problem that images of other classes cannot be referred to.

  The invention of the present application can easily compare and refer to a captured modality class image and a secondary capture class image generated from the captured image by changing the association of images of various modality classes. It is an object to provide a management apparatus and an image management method.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventor has come up with various aspects of the invention described below.

Image management apparatus of the present invention is based on the attribute information of the image, the image includes a discriminating means for discriminating whether a is either captured image processing image generated captured image by image processing, which is the determination Instructing means for instructing one classification mode from a first classification mode for associating and classifying each captured image with the corresponding processed image and a second classification mode for classifying the processed image in association with each other based on the result Classification means for classifying images based on the instruction of the classification mode, image list display means for displaying a list of the classified images based on the result of classification according to the classification mode, and the first classification When the mode is instructed, the images selected from each of the classifications are displayed in order of shooting date and time, and when the second classification mode is instructed, the shot images are displayed in order of shooting date and time. A display means for displaying overlapping a plurality of processing images serial classification, each of the displayed image, and switching means for displaying is switched to another image in the classification to which the displayed image belongs, the It is characterized by that.

Moreover, determining step image management method of the present invention, determination means, which based on the attribute information of the image, the image is to determine whether a is either captured image processing image generated captured image by image processing And a first classification mode in which the instruction unit associates and classifies each captured image with the corresponding processed image based on the determined result, and a second classification mode in which the processed image is associated with each other and classified. An instruction step for instructing one classification mode, a classification step for classifying an image based on an instruction of the classification mode, and an image list display unit based on the result of classification by the classification mode, an image list display step of displaying a list of classified images, the display means, when said first classification mode is instructed order of photographing date and time the images selected from each of the classification Displayed, a display step when the second classification mode is instructed to display superimposed a plurality of processing images in which the classified and displays side by side captured image in order of photographing date and time, the switching means is the display each image was, and having a switching step of displaying is switched to another image in the classification to which the displayed image belongs, the.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily refer to an image by classifying the image based on whether the image is a processed image or a captured image and displaying an image list based on the classification result. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In this image management apparatus, an image storage apparatus 105 that stores patient information and image data and an image display apparatus 103 are connected to each other via a network 104. The image storage device 105 is provided with a database 101 that stores attribute information such as patient information, and a storage medium 102 that stores image data associated with the attribute information stored in the database 101. .

  The image storage device 105 is provided with general computer components such as a CPU and a ROM (not shown), and a program for the CPU to control the entire operation of the image storage device 105 is stored in the ROM. Yes.

  Similarly, the image display device 103 is provided with general computer components such as a CPU and a ROM (not shown), and a program for the CPU to control the overall operation of the image display device 103 is stored in the ROM. ing.

  In this embodiment, the image storage device 105 and the image display device 103 are separate computers, but they may be integrated.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the image management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In this image management apparatus, each unit as shown in FIG. 2 is configured by the CPU executing programs stored in the ROM in the image display device 103 and the image storage device 105.

  That is, the image management apparatus includes an attribute determination unit 201 that determines image attributes, an image classification unit 202 that classifies images based on the determination result by the attribute determination unit 201, and an image based on the classification result by the image classification unit 202. An image list display unit 203 that displays a list, an image reading unit 204 that reads an image selected from the image list displayed by the image list display unit 203, and an image display unit that displays an image read by the image reading unit 204 205.

  Furthermore, an image creation instruction unit 206 that gives an instruction to create an image from the image displayed on the image display unit 205, an image creation unit 208 that creates a new image from the image read by the image reading unit 204, and an image creation An image storage unit 209 that stores an image created by the unit 208, an image registration unit 210 that registers an image stored by the image storage unit 209, an image classification switching unit 211 that switches a classification method by the image classification unit 202, and An image display switching unit 212 that switches the arrangement order of the images displayed on the image display unit 205 is provided.

  If the image instructed by the image creation instruction unit 206 has not been read, the image reading unit 204 also performs an operation of reading the image.

  Next, the operation of the image management apparatus configured as described above will be described. 3A and 3B are flowcharts illustrating the processing operation of the image management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, a search condition is input from an input device (not shown) of the image display device 103 based on a user operation (step S301). Examples of search condition items include examination date, patient ID, patient name, class attribute, gender, date of birth, and the like.

  Next, the database 101 is searched according to the input search condition (step S302).

  Next, the attribute determination unit 201 determines whether there is a secondary capture image in the image searched in step S302 (step S303).

  There are two types of determination methods in step S303. One is to determine whether there is a secondary capture class image in the retrieved image, and the other is whether the secondary capture class image related to the retrieved image is registered in the DB. It is to discriminate. In step S303, which one of the two discrimination methods is used, whether both discrimination methods are used, or which discrimination method is not used depends on the setting of the user.

  If “Yes” is determined in step S303, the image classification unit 202 performs image classification (step S304). Usually, images of the same patient are classified as the same group. Furthermore, the secondary capture class images related to the search result and the searched image in step S302 are classified.

  This classification method is as follows. One is a method of classifying in association with the original image when a secondary capture class image is created, one is a method of classifying secondary capture class images into one, or any secondary capture class image It is a method of handling independently without associating with.

  Here, a specific example of the search will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that attribute information 401 to 405 information is stored in the database 101, and image data corresponding to the attribute information 401 to 405 is stored in the recording medium 102. In the following, the image data corresponding to the attribute information A is simply referred to as image A.

  For example, when an image is searched under the search conditions “patient ID is 001” and “examination date is from January 01, 1999 to December 31, 2001”, in the example shown in FIG. , Image 403 and image 405 are retrieved.

  An image 405 of the secondary capture class is included in the searched image (SC indicates the secondary capture class). In this example, the image 405 is generated from the images 401 and 403. Thereafter, image classification is performed. Details of the image classification will be described later.

  On the other hand, as an example of different search conditions, for example, when “patient ID is 001” and “CR class image” are searched, the image 401, the image 402, the image 403, and the image 404 are searched in the example shown in FIG. The

  Although there is no secondary capture class image (image 405 in the example of FIG. 4) among the retrieved images, the secondary capture class image 405 related to the image 401 and the image 403 is registered in the DB. Accordingly, image classification is performed on the image 401, the image 402, the image 403, the image 404, and the image 405. Details of the image classification will be described later.

  Here, before describing the details of image classification, the DICOM format will be briefly described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of image attributes defined by the DICOM standard.

  This hierarchical structure is composed of three layers, and an inspection layer 501 is located at the top layer. Below the inspection layer 501, there are series layers 502-504, and the inspection layer 501 can have one or more series layers. Below the series layers 502-504 are image layers 505-507, respectively, and each series layer 502-504 can have one or more image layers. Here, the information specifying the patient information is attribute information stored in the examination layer 501, for example.

  As an example of generating an image of the secondary capture class, one is a temporal difference image obtained by taking a difference between images belonging to different examinations that are spaced apart with time, and one is 2 in the same examination. A digital image newly generated as one image by connecting two or more images, and one image that has been subjected to image processing such as gradation correction on the captured image and saved as new image data An image includes a digital image obtained by scanning a medical image of a film with a medical film scanner or the like. Since these are generated using a known technique, the details are omitted.

  Next, an image classification method will be described by taking as an example a case where a temporal difference image is generated as a secondary capture class.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, after the CR class image 601 and the image 602 are photographed, a time-difference image between the image 601 and the image 602 is created, and a secondary capture class image 603 is generated. Thereafter, the CR class image 604 is further photographed, and when the temporal difference images of the images 604 and 601, and the images 604 and 602 are created, the secondary capture class image 605 and the image 606 are generated.

  Here, in this embodiment, the image 605 and the image 606 are created as images belonging to the same examination, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be created separately as different examinations.

  A case where the images are classified for these images will be described.

  When classifying the images in the secondary capture class in association with the generated original image, the images created as shown in FIG. 6 are classified as shown in FIG.

  Since the image 603 is an image generated from the image 601 and the image 602, it is classified as the same examination as the image 601 that is the image generation source. Similarly, the image 605 and the image 606 are also classified as examination images to which the images 601 and 602 that are the image generation sources belong.

  When the images of the secondary capture class are classified by the method of classifying them into one, the images created as shown in FIG. 6 are classified as shown in FIG.

  Since the image 603, the image 605, and the image 606 are secondary capture class images, they are collected as one examination.

  In the inspection of the secondary capture class, the image 603 may be classified as one series, and the images 605 and 606 may be classified as one series.

  After the image classification unit 202 classifies images as described above, the image list display unit 203 displays the image information classified in step S304 as an image list (step S305).

  For example, when the images shown in FIG. 6 are displayed in the order of examination date and time without being classified by the class attribute in step S304, an image list as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Since classification is not performed according to the class attribute, the image list 706 displays the CR class image and the secondary capture class image mixed in the order of examination dates.

  Here, the item 701 indicates the image 601, the item 702 indicates the image 602, and the item 704 indicates the image 604. An item 703 indicates the secondary capture class image 703 generated from the images 601 and 602, and an item 705 indicates the image 604, the image 601, and the secondary capture class images 605 and 606 generated from the image 602. In this display example, since the image 605 and the image 606 are collected as one examination, they are also displayed as one item on the list.

  On the other hand, when the secondary capture class image is classified in association with the generated image in step S304, the image shown in FIG. 6 is classified as shown in FIG.

  A list display result of the images classified in this way is displayed as a list 904 in FIG. The item 901 is displayed in one line as one examination, but images 601, 603, and 605 are classified as images. In the item 902, the image 602 and the image 606 are classified, and in the item 903, the image 604 is classified.

  In addition, although the secondary capture image is associated with the inspection side with the old inspection date and time of the image that generated the secondary capture image, it may be associated with a new inspection.

  On the other hand, when the images of the secondary capture class are grouped into one, the images shown in FIG. 6 are classified as shown in FIG. A list display result of the images classified in this way is displayed as a list 1105 in FIG. An item 1101 is a collection of secondary capture class images. That is, the item 1101 is classified into an image 603, an image 605, and an image 606.

  Note that, here, the list is displayed in order of inspection date, and since the inspection is classified into the secondary capture class, it is displayed at the end of the list, but may be displayed according to the inspection date.

  Next, it is determined whether to perform image display or to change the image classification (step S306). In this determination, it is determined whether or not the user has input an image display instruction or an image classification switching instruction using the input device.

  When switching of the image classification is instructed by the user, the image classification switching unit 211 switches the image classification (step S327). The image classification switching is to change the classification method of the images classified in step S304. In other words, the secondary capture class image is classified in association with the generated image, the secondary capture class images are grouped together, or the secondary capture class image is handled without being associated.

  For example, if there is an image as shown in FIG. 6 and the secondary capture class image is not associated with the secondary capture class image, the secondary capture class image is handled as an independent inspection, and the classification is as shown in FIG. Further, when the secondary capture class image is classified in association with the generated original image, the classification is performed as shown in FIG. 8, and the list is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Further, when the images of the secondary capture class are collectively classified into one, the classification is performed as shown in FIG. 10, and the list display is displayed as shown in FIG.

  When an image display is instructed by the user, the image display unit 205 displays an image in step S307.

  For example, if the image shown in FIG. 6 is not associated with the secondary capture class image, the captured image and the secondary capture image are mixedly displayed as shown in FIG.

  In this example, the images are displayed on the image display device 103 in order from the upper left to the upper right and from the lower left to the lower right. The images are displayed in order from the newest to the oldest, but the present invention is not limited to this. .

  Further, if the image shown in FIG. 6 is classified in association with the image that has generated the image of the secondary capture class, the image is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Here, the image 602 includes an associated secondary capture class image 606, and the image 601 includes an associated secondary capture class image 603 and image 605.

  These associated images are shown hidden behind the CR image for purposes of illustration, but are usually not displayed, and the user can use an input device or the like to display a secondary capture image When an instruction is given, the CR class image is displayed. Details will be described later.

  Further, if the secondary capture class images are grouped together into one as shown in FIG. 6, the images are displayed as shown in FIG.

  Here, the image 603, the image 605, and the image 606 are obtained by combining the images of the secondary capture class into one. In this example, the image 606 is displayed at the top in the secondary capture image, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Next, it is determined whether or not display switching is performed (step S308). Here, display switching is performed particularly when the images of the secondary capture class are classified in association with the generated images and displayed in the display form as shown in FIG.

  When the user gives an instruction using a mouse, a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like to display a secondary capture image in a state where the display as shown in FIG. 13 is performed, the image display switching unit 212 causes the secondary capture image to be displayed. The image reading unit 204 and the image display unit 205 are controlled to display an image (step S325).

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the result of switching the display. Here, the image 606 is displayed by switching to the image 602, and the image 603 is displayed by switching to the image 605.

  If it is determined in step S308 that display switching is not performed, it is determined whether there is an image creation instruction (step S309).

  If there is no image creation instruction, the user operation is waited for (step S326), and if there is an image creation instruction, the image creation instruction unit 206 transfers parameters for image processing to the image reading unit 204 (step S310). ).

  Examples of the image to be created include a temporal difference image and an image that is newly generated as one image by connecting two or more images. Information necessary for generating these images, such as file names of two images and image processing parameters, is transferred.

  Next, the image reading unit 204 reads the image data designated by the transferred parameters into a memory or a storage area for image processing (step S311).

  Thereafter, the image creation unit 208 performs image processing (step S312).

  Subsequently, the image creation unit 208 creates an image attribute (step S313). When the image is created using the same patient image in step S312, for example, an invariant image attribute such as a patient name can be used as it is as an attribute of a newly created secondary capture image.

  Further, as information unique to the secondary capture image, information indicating that the modality is SC representing secondary capture and information that can be classified by image processing that generates the secondary capture image is written in the device type attribute. Furthermore, the file name of the image is registered as attribute information as information that can identify the file name of the image from which the secondary capture image is generated.

  Next, the image display unit 205 displays the image created by the image creation unit 208 in steps S312 and S313 (step S314).

  Next, the image storage unit 209 stores the image data created by the image creation unit 208 in steps S312 and S313 in the storage medium 102 (step S315).

  Then, the secondary capture image information stored in step S315 is registered in the database 101 (step S316). When registering in the database 101, information specifying the device type of the secondary capture image, the image that is the generation source, and the like are stored in the database 101 as attribute information used when an image is displayed later.

  According to the image management apparatus according to such an embodiment, when the secondary capture image is created, information for specifying the image from which the image is created is input, and the images are displayed later. The captured image and the secondary image can be displayed in association with each other.

  Therefore, the captured image and the secondary capture image can be displayed neatly while preventing a mixed state from occurring. Also, even if there are multiple types of secondary captures, handling them separately for each type avoids the problem that the interpretation of images is hindered because different types of secondary capture images exist Can do.

  Furthermore, since the image classification method and the display mode can be switched, it is possible to compare secondary captures or switch between a captured image and a secondary capture image for display. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to improvement of diagnosis efficiency and system of doctors.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image processing is performed on the image storage device 105 side. However, the image display device 103 may be provided with a CPU and a ROM, and may be performed on the image display device 103 side.

  In this case, the process illustrated in FIG. 3A is the same as that in the above-described embodiment, but the process illustrated in FIG. 3B is omitted, and the process illustrated in FIG. 19 is performed on the image display apparatus 103 side. However, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

  When the image display device 103 side performs an image creation instruction (step S309), the image reading unit 204 stores the image data on a memory or a storage area provided in the image display device 103 for image processing. Read (step S317). However, if image data has already been read for image display in step 307, step S317 may be omitted.

  Thereafter, the image creation unit 208 performs image processing (step S318).

  Subsequently, the image creation unit 208 creates an image attribute (step S319).

  Next, the image display unit 205 displays the image created by the image creation unit 208 in steps S318 and S319 (step S320). Next, the created image data is transferred from the image display device 103 to the image storage device 105 (step S321) and received by the image storage device 105 (step S322). As the transfer method, for example, a transfer method using a transfer protocol defined in the DICOM standard may be mentioned, and transfer may be performed using a known general method.

  Next, the image storage unit 209 stores the image data generated by the image generation unit 208 in steps S318 and S319 in the storage medium 102 (step S323). Then, the secondary capture image information stored in step S323 is registered in the database 101 (step S324).

  In addition, about the newest test | inspection, even if it receives the instruction | indication which displays a secondary capture image, the display of a secondary capture image may be abbreviate | omitted. Further, even when an instruction to display a secondary capture image is received, the display of the inspection may be omitted for an inspection that does not include the secondary capture image.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment is an example in which an image of a secondary capture class is mainly generated from images of different examinations such as a temporal difference image. The second embodiment is a case of a digital image newly generated as one image by connecting two or more images in the same examination.

  For example, when a secondary capture class image 1603 is newly generated by joining a CR class image 1601 and a CR class image 1602 as shown in FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. The image is classified into the image of the class from which it was generated.

  On the other hand, when the display switching of S308 is performed, the secondary capture image 1603 and the image 1606 are displayed as shown in FIG.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the display switching step in S308 can give a switching instruction regarding image classification, and the image display switching unit 212 performs image classification switching to display an image.

  The embodiment of the present invention can be realized by, for example, a computer executing a program. Also, means for supplying a program to a computer, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM recording such a program, or a transmission medium such as the Internet for transmitting such a program is also applied as an embodiment of the present invention. Can do. The above program can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. The above program, recording medium, transmission medium, and program product are included in the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the image management apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the image management apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the image management apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the image management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, following FIG. 3-1. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the image of CR class, and the image of a secondary capture class. It is a figure which shows the hierarchical structure of the image attribute prescribed | regulated by DICOM specification. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the relationship of the produced | generated image. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the image shown in FIG. 6 on a display screen as an image list. It is a conceptual diagram when the image shown in FIG. 6 is classified. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the image shown in FIG. 8 on the display screen as an image list. It is a conceptual diagram when the image shown in FIG. 6 is classified. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the image shown in FIG. 10 on the display screen as an image list. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the image shown in FIG. 6 on the display screen. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the image shown in FIG. 8 on the display screen. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the image shown in FIG. 10 on the display screen. It is a figure which shows a display when there exists an instruction | indication to display the secondary capture image in the display of the image shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the case where a secondary capture image is created from one or more images in the same examination. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the image shown in FIG. 16 on the display screen. It is a figure which shows a display when there exists an instruction | indication to display the secondary capture image as the display of the image shown in FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations when image processing is performed on the image display apparatus 103 side.

Explanation of symbols

101: Database 102: Storage medium 103: Image display device 104: Network 105: Image storage device 201: Attribute discrimination unit 202: Image classification unit 203: Image list display unit 204: Image reading unit 205: Image display unit 206: Image creation Instruction unit 208: Image creation unit 209: Image storage unit 210: Image registration unit 211: Image classification switching unit 212: Image display switching unit

Claims (16)

A discriminating means for discriminating whether the image is a processed image or a captured image generated by image processing of the captured image based on the attribute information of the image;
Based on the determined result, one classification mode is selected from a first classification mode that associates and classifies each captured image with the corresponding processed image, and a second classification mode that associates and classifies the processed images. Instruction means for instructing;
Classification means for classifying images based on the instruction of the classification mode;
Image list display means for displaying a list of the classified images based on the result classified by the classification mode;
When the first classification mode is instructed, the images selected from each of the classifications are displayed in order of shooting date and time, and when the second classification mode is specified, the captured images are displayed in order of shooting date and time. And display means for displaying the plurality of classified processed images in an overlapping manner ,
And switching means for displaying each of the displayed image is switched to another image in the classification to which the displayed image belongs,
An image management apparatus comprising:   The image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the classifying unit classifies an image determined to be a processed image in association with a captured image related to the image.   The image management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the attribute information of the captured image includes inspection information, and the classification unit classifies the processed image into the same inspection as the captured image.   The image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the classification unit classifies images determined to be processed images in association with each other.   The image management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the attribute information of the processed image includes inspection information, and the classification unit classifies the plurality of processed images into the same inspection. When there is an instruction to switch the displayed captured image to the processed image when the first classification mode is instructed, the switching means displays the processed image for the captured image with the latest shooting date and time. The image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image management apparatus is omitted and display of an image of a captured image having no processed image is omitted . A switching instruction means for instructing switching of image classification according to the first classification mode or the second classification mode;
The image management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the classification unit classifies images based on an instruction from the switching instruction unit. Determining means for determining whether the image is a processed image obtained by performing a difference process between a plurality of captured images obtained by capturing the same subject at different time points or the captured image based on attribute information of the image ;
A classification means for associating and classifying images determined to be processed images;
Display means for displaying the photographed images side by side in order of photographing date and time, and displaying the plurality of classified processed images in an overlapping manner;
Switching means for switching the displayed processed image to other processed images in the category to which the displayed processed image belongs;
Images management device further comprising a.   The image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processed image is an image subjected to image processing for joining a plurality of captured images obtained by capturing different portions of the same subject. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the image is the processed image based on whether a class attribute included in the attribute information of the image is a secondary capture class. Image management device. Determining means, based on the attribute information of the image, and determining step in which the image is to determine whether a is either captured image processing image generated captured image by image processing,
1 from the first classification mode in which the instruction unit associates and classifies each captured image with the corresponding processed image based on the determined result, and the second classification mode in which the processed image is associated with each other. An instruction step for indicating one classification mode;
A classifying step in which the classifying unit classifies the image based on an instruction of the classification mode ;
An image list display step for displaying a list of the classified images based on the result of classification by the classification mode;
When the first classification mode is instructed , the display means displays the images selected from each of the classifications in order of shooting date and time, and when the second classification mode is instructed, the captured image is captured. A display step of displaying the images arranged in order of date and time and displaying the plurality of classified processed images in an overlapping manner ;
A switching step of switching means, each of the displayed image to be displayed is switched to another image in the classification to which the displayed image belongs,
An image management method characterized by comprising: 12. The image management method according to claim 11 , wherein in the classification step, the classification unit classifies the image determined to be a processed image in association with a captured image related to the image. The image management method according to claim 11 , wherein in the classification step, the classification unit classifies the images determined to be processed images in association with each other. The switching instruction means further includes a switching instruction step for instructing switching of image classification according to the first classification mode or the second classification mode;
12. The image management method according to claim 11 , wherein in the classification step, the classification unit classifies the images based on an instruction in the switching instruction step. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image management method according to any one of claims 11 to 14 . A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 15 is recorded.

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