Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Claim 2

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body and a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit with a given frequency threshold; and a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit and said frequency comparator, for outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the average frequency calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is higher than said given threshold, and outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is lower than the given frequency threshold; and a display connected to said frequency averaging circuit and said sign selection circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 3

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body and a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit with a given frequency threshold; and a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyze, said average sign circuit and said frequency comparator, for outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is higher than the given threshold, and outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is lower than the given frequency threshold; and a display connected to said frequency averaging circuit and said sign selection circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer.

Claim 4

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body and a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit with a given frequency threshold; and a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyze, said average sign circuit and said frequency comparator, for outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is higher than the given threshold, and outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is lower than the given frequency threshold; and a display connected to said frequency averaging circuit and said sign selection circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer.

Claim 5

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frequency comparator is configured of sign selection logic memory having stored therein data representing results of comparing magnitudes of average frequency signals and the given frequency threshold, said sign selection logic memory receiving as an address the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and, based on the address, outputting data to said sign selection circuit for specifying selection conditions.

Claim 6

An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said sign selection logic memory is one of a ROM and a RAM.

Claim 7

An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said frequency comparator is configured of sign selection logic memory having stored therein data representing results of comparing magnitudes of average frequency signals and the given frequency threshold, said sign selection logic memory receiving as an address the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and, based on the address, outputting data to said sign selection circuit for specifying selector conditions.

Claim 8

An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sign selection logic memory is one of a ROM and a ROM.

Claim 9

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected by the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a given strength threshold; a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit and said strength comparator, for outputting the sign output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is higher than said given strength threshold, and outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the strength signal output said color flow mapping analyzer is lower than the strength threshold; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said frequency averaging circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 10

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected by the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a given strength threshold; a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit and said strength comparator, for outputting the sign output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is higher than said given strength threshold, and outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the strength signal output said color flow mapping analyzer is lower than the strength threshold; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said frequency averaging circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 11

An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said sign selection circuit selects an output based on a sign selection logic memory having stored therein data representing results of comparing magnitudes of average frequency signals and the given frequency threshold, said sign selection logic memory receiving as an address the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and, based on the address, outputting data to said sign selection circuit for specifying selection conditions.

Claim 12

An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said sign selection logic memory is one of a ROM and a RAM.

Claim 13

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a given strength threshold; and a sign selecting circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit and said strength comparator, for outputting the sign output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is higher than said given strength threshold, and outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the strength signal output said color flow mapping analyzer is lower than the given strength threshold; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said color flow mapping analyzer for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer.

Claim 14

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a given strength threshold; and a sign selecting circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit and said strength comparator, for outputting the sign output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is higher than said given strength threshold, and outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the strength signal output said color flow mapping analyzer is lower than the given strength threshold; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said color flow mapping analyzer for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer.

Claim 15

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for calculating magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and a frequency threshold; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a given strength threshold; a sign selection circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit, said frequency comparator and said strength comparator, for outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is higher than the frequency threshold and the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is higher than the strength threshold, and otherwise outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said frequency averaging circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 16

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for calculating magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and a frequency threshold; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a given strength threshold; a sign selection circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit, said frequency comparator and said strength comparator, for outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is higher than the frequency threshold and the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is higher than the strength threshold, and otherwise outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said frequency averaging circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 17

An apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said frequency comparator is configured of sign selection logic memory having stored therein data representing results of comparing magnitudes of average frequency signals and the given frequency threshold, said sign selection logic memory receiving as an address the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and, based on the address, outputting data to said sign selection circuit for specifying selection conditions.

Claim 18

An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein said sign selection logic memory is one of a ROM and a RAM.

Claim 19

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and a frequency threshold; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a given strength threshold; a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit, said frequency comparator and said strength comparator, for outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is higher than the frequency threshold and the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is higher than the strength threshold, and otherwise outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said color flow mapping analyzer for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer.

Claim 20

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and a frequency threshold; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a given strength threshold; a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit, said frequency comparator and said strength comparator, for outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is higher than the frequency threshold and the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is higher than the strength threshold, and otherwise outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said color flow mapping analyzer for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer.

Claim 21

An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said frequency comparator is configured of sign selection logic memory having stored therein data representing results of comparing magnitudes of average frequency signals and the given frequency threshold, said sign selection logic memory receiving as an address the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and, based on the address, outputting data to said sign selection circuit for specifying selection conditions.

Claim 22

An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein said sign selection logic memory is one of a ROM and a RAM.

Claim 23

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and a frequency threshold; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a strength threshold; a sign selection circuit, connected to said frequency comparator and said strength comparator, for outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is lower than the frequency threshold and the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is lower than the strength threshold, and otherwise outputting the sign output from said color flow mapping analyzer; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said frequency averaging circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 24

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and a frequency threshold; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a strength threshold; a sign selection circuit, connected to said frequency comparator and said strength comparator, for outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is lower than the frequency threshold and the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is lower than the strength threshold, and otherwise outputting the sign output from said color flow mapping analyzer; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said frequency averaging circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 25

An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said frequency comparator is configured of sign selection logic memory having stored therein data representing results of comparing magnitudes of average frequency signals and the given frequency threshold, said sign selection logic memory receiving as an address the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and, based on the address, outputting data to said sign selection circuit for specifying selection conditions.

Claim 26

An apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein said sign selection logic memory is one of a ROM and a RAM.

Claim 27

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and a frequency threshold; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a strength threshold; a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit, said frequency comparator and said strength comparator, for outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is lower than the frequency threshold and the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is lower than the strength threshold, and otherwise outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said frequency averaging circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 28

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a moving body, comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of the moving body on the basis of received ultrasonic signals reflected from the moving body, a frequency signal corresponding to a speed of the moving body, and a strength signal of the received ultrasonic signals; an average sign circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for calculating over a given period of time an average of the frequency signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; a frequency comparator connected to said frequency averaging circuit for comparing magnitudes of the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and a frequency threshold; a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing magnitudes of the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a strength threshold; a sign selection circuit, connected to said color flow mapping analyzer, said average sign circuit, said frequency comparator and said strength comparator, for outputting the average of the sign signal calculated by said average sign circuit if the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit is lower than the frequency threshold and the strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer is lower than the strength threshold, and otherwise outputting the sign signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer; and a display connected to said sign selection circuit and said frequency averaging circuit for displaying a speed distribution of the moving body in dependence upon an output selected by said sign selection circuit and the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit.

Claim 29

An apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said frequency comparator is configured of sign selection logic memory having stored therein data representing results of comparing magnitudes of average frequency signals and the given frequency threshold, said sign selection logic memory receiving as an address the average of the frequency signal calculated by said frequency averaging circuit and, based on the address, outputting data to said sign selection circuit for specifying selection conditions.

Claim 30

An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said sign selection logic memory is one of a ROM and a RAM.

Claim 31

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of a moving body to be diagnosed; an average sign signal circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for determining an average of the sign signal over a given period; and a sign selection circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer and said average sign signal circuit to selectively output one of the sign signal from said color flow mapping analyzer and the average of the sign signal.

Claim 32

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a color flow mapping analyzer for outputting a sign signal corresponding to a direction of movement of a moving body to be diagnosed; an average sign signal circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for determining an average of the sign signal over a given period; and a sign selection circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer and said average sign signal circuit to selectively output one of the sign signal from said color flow mapping analyzer and the average of the sign signal.

Claim 33

An apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing a strength signal output from said color flow mapping analyzer with a predetermined strength threshold.

Claim 34

An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said sign selection circuit outputs the sign signal from said color flow mapping analyzer when said strength comparator indicates the strength signal is higher than the strength threshold; and wherein said sign signal selection circuit outputs the average of the sign signal from said average sign circuit when said strength comparator indicates the strength signal is lower than the strength threshold.

Claim 35

An apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising: a frequency averaging circuit connected to said color flow mapping analyzer to average a frequency signal, corresponding to a speed of the moving body, from said color flow mapping analyzer over a given period and to produce an average frequency; and a frequency comparator connected to said frequency signal averaging circuit to compare the average frequency from said frequency averaging circuit with a predetermined frequency threshold.

Claim 36

An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said sign selection circuit outputs the sign signal from said color flow mapping analyzer when said strength comparator indicates the strength signal is higher than the frequency threshold; and wherein said sign selection circuit outputs the average of the sign signal from said average sign circuit when said frequency comparator indicates the average frequency is lower than the frequency threshold.

Claim 37

An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: a strength comparator connected to said color flow mapping analyzer for comparing a strength signal output of said color flow mapping analyzer with a predetermined strength threshold.

Claim 38

An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said sign selection circuit outputs the sign signal from said color flow mapping analyzer based on comparison by said strength comparator and comparison by said frequency comparator.

Claim 39

An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said sign selection circuit outputs the sign from said color flow mapping analyzer when both said strength comparator and said frequency comparator indicate the strength signal is higher than the strength threshold and the average frequency is higher than the frequency threshold; and wherein said selection circuit outputs the average of the sign signal from said average sign circuit when both said strength signal comparator and said frequency signal comparator indicate the strength signal is higher than the strength threshold and the average frequency is higher than the frequency threshold.

Claim 40

An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said sign selection circuit outputs the sign signal from said color flow mapping analyzer when said strength comparator and said frequency comparator indicate only one of the following conditions--the strength signal is higher than the strength threshold and the average frequency is higher than the frequency threshold; and wherein said sign selection circuit outputs the average of the sign signal from said average sign circuit when said strength comparator and said frequency comparator indicate only one of the following conditions--the strength signal is lower than the strength threshold and the average frequency is lower than the frequency threshold.