US4520671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for real time image zoom display in an ultrasonic scanning system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1983-06-10
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Granted: 1985-06-04
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Expires: 2003-06-10
Abstract
Abstract Real time image zoom is obtained by sampling electrical signals corresponding to reflected ultrasonic waves at a sampling frequency whereby display data is obtained only in an area of interest. The sampling is delayed to eliminate signals from areas not of interest. Ultrasonic pulse repetition rate is selected so that internal resolution in the area of interest is optimized.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Hardin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/5206; G01S7/52063; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52025; G01S7/52026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
In an ultrasound imaging system in which a display is controlled by electrical signals based on reflected ultrasonic waves, a method of varying the size of a displayed area based on a user selected scale factor and user selected start and stop points comprising the steps of transmitting ultrasonic pulses, generating electrical signals in response to echoes of said ultrasonic pulses, sampling said electrical signals at a plurality of sampling rates depending on a scale factor indicative of desired size of a display image said step of sampling being delayed after said step of transmitting ultrasonic pulses whereby sampled signals are obtained only from a limited area as established by user selected start and stop points, generating pixel illumination data corresponding to the sampled electrical signals, and controlling scan lines in said display image by said pixel illumination data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an ultrasound imaging system in which a display is controlled by electrical signals based on reflected ultrasonic waves, a method of varying the size of a displayed area based on a user selected scale factor and user selected start and stop points comprising the steps of transmitting ultrasonic pulses, generating electrical signals in response to echoes of said ultrasonic pulses, sampling said electrical signals at a plurality of sampling rates depending on a scale factor indicative of desired size of a display image said step of sampling being delayed after said step of transmitting ultrasonic pulses whereby sampled signals are obtained only from a limited area as established by user selected start and stop points, generating pixel illumination data corresponding to the sampled electrical signals, and controlling scan lines in said display image by said pixel illumination data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein said step of transmitting ultrasonic pulses is at a maximum repetition rate selected to permit optimal lateral resolution with minimal interpolated pixels from an area to be displayed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
In an ultrasonic imaging system in which a display is controlled by electrical signals based on reflected ultrasonic waves, apparatus for providing display control data dependent on a user selected scale factor and user selected start and stop points comprising means for sampling said electrical signals at a plurality of sampling rates depending on a scale factor indicative of desired size of a display image, said means for sampling including delay means for delaying the sampling of electrical signals whereby only signals from a limited area of interest are sampled, as established by the user selected start and stop points, and means for generating pixel illumination data corresponding to the sampled electrical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
In an ultrasonic imaging system in which a display is controlled by electrical signals based on reflected ultrasonic waves, apparatus for providing display control data dependent on a user selected scale factor and user selected start and stop points comprising means for sampling said electrical signals at a plurality of sampling rates depending on a scale factor indicative of desired size of a display image, said means for sampling including delay means for delaying the sampling of electrical signals whereby only signals from a limited area of interest are sampled, as established by the user selected start and stop points, and means for generating pixel illumination data corresponding to the sampled electrical signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said means for generating pixel illumination data includes analog to digital signal conversion means for generating digital data for pixel illumination control.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4 and further including memory means for storing said digital data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-06-03 | 1988-12-03 | 1989-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-03 | 1992-12-03 | 1993-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-03 | 1996-12-03 | 1997-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |