Image recording/reproducing apparatus

Claim 2

An image recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: storing means for storing a plurality of X-ray images which are repeatedly picked-up along a time base, such that frame numbers are serially given to the X-ray images in the order of the X-ray images being picked-up; first displaying means, connected to said storing means, for extracting an m-number of X-ray images, whose frame numbers are discrete, from the X-ray images, and visually displaying the extracted X-ray images as images for use in retrieval; designating means for designation by the operator of specific X-ray image designated by a frame number n from among the displayed X-ray images; and second displaying means, connected to said storing means, for dynamically visually displaying a series of X-ray images following the X-ray image having frame number n+1.

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said first displaying means reduces a matrix size of each of said m-number of X-ray images into one frame, and then displays said one frame.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said first displaying means reduces a matrix size of each of said m-number of X-ray images to 1/m 2 .

Claim 5

An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said designating means is a pointing device for designating a position on a display screen of said first display means.

Claim 6

An image recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, in which said storing means includes first storing means for storing said plurality of X-ray images and second storing means for storing said m-number of X-ray images.

Claim 7

An image recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, in which said first storing means is a video disk system, and said second storing means is a random access memory device.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said recording means has a random-access recording medium.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 7, in which said recording medium is a video disk.

Claim 10

An image recording/reproducing apparatus for an X-ray machine, comprising: an X-ray controller for varying the intensity values of X-rays emitted from the X-ray machine; a T.V. camera for receiving images produced by the X-ray machine; an index image generator for obtaining the images from the T.V. camera; a management data generator for obtaining patient information, image time information, frame numbers for different frames of the images, and intensity of the X-rays; storing means for storing the images; and a controller for causing said X-ray controller to activate the X-ray machine and transmit fluoroscopy range X-rays to obtain images from the T.V. camera showing an amount of fluoroscopic material in an area to be X-rayed, for causing said X-ray controller to activate the X-ray machine and emit radiographic range X-rays during imaging when an amount of the fluoroscopic material is sufficiently dispersed in the area to be X-rayed, for causing the T.V. camera to turn on and off and generating said frames of the images, and for combining information obtained by the management data generator with each of the corresponding frames generated into memory.

Claim 11

An image recording/reproducing apparatus for an X-ray machine, comprising: an X-ray controller for varying the intensity values of X-rays emitted from the X-ray machine; a T.V. camera for receiving images produced by the X-ray machine; an index image generator for obtaining the images from the T.V. camera; a management data generator for obtaining patient information, image time information, frame numbers for different frames of the images, and intensity of the X-rays; storing means for storing the images; and a controller for causing said X-ray controller to activate the X-ray machine and transmit fluoroscopy range X-rays to obtain images from the T.V. camera showing an amount of fluoroscopic material in an area to be X-rayed, for causing said X-ray controller to activate the X-ray machine and emit radiographic range X-rays during imaging when an amount of the fluoroscopic material is sufficiently dispersed in the area to be X-rayed, for causing the T.V. camera to turn on and off and generating said frames of the images, and for combining information obtained by the management data generator with each of the corresponding frames generated into memory.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a console for manually designating when the fluoroscopy ends and when imaging begins and for manually selecting frames to be reviewed; and display means for displaying selected frames.