Image processing method and apparatus
In an image processing method, predetermined processing is performed with respect to a plurality of image signals, each of which is appended with grouping information representing that image signals appended with identical grouping information represent images associated with one another. In cases where the predetermined processing is performed with respect to a specific image signal, the predetermined processing is also performed with respect to all of image signals, which are appended with the same grouping information as the grouping information appended to the specific image signal. The predetermined processing may be image processing performed on the image signal or a processing for altering subsidiary information appended to the image signal.
1 . An image processing method, comprising the steps of:
i) selecting a specific image signal from a plurality of image signals, each of which is appended with grouping information, wherein the image signals appended with identical grouping information represent images associated with one another,
ii) selecting at least one predetermined piece of information from the pieces of information constituting the grouping information appended to the specific image signal,
iii) selecting all of image signals, which are appended with the same piece of information as the predetermined piece of information having been selected from the pieces of information constituting the grouping information appended to the specific image signal, from the plurality of the image signals, and
iv) performing processing on all of the image signals having thus been selected, the processing being performed for reflecting subsidiary information, which is appended to the specific image signal, on the image signals,
wherein said processing is a processing for altering the subsidiary information appended to the image signals, and wherein said grouping information comprises information about a patient, an examination, a series number within an identical examination number and an image.
2 . An image processing apparatus, comprising:
i) means for selecting a specific image signal from a plurality of image signals, each of which is appended with grouping information, wherein the image signals appended with identical grouping information represent images associated with one another,
ii) means for selecting at least one predetermined piece of information from the pieces of information constituting the grouping information appended to the specific image signal,
iii) means for selecting all of image signals, which are appended with the same piece of information as the predetermined piece of information having been selected from the pieces of information constituting the grouping information appended to the specific image signal, from the plurality of the image signals, and
iv) means for performing processing on all of the image signals having thus been selected, the processing being performed for reflecting subsidiary information, which is appended to the specific image signal, on the image signals,
wherein said processing is a processing for altering the subsidiary information appended to the image signals, and
wherein said grouping information comprises information about a patient, an examination, a series number within an identical examination number and an image.
3 . A recording medium, on which a program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method has been recorded and from which the computer is capable of reading the program, wherein the program comprises the procedures for:
i) selecting a specific image signal from a plurality of image signals, each of which is appended with grouping information, wherein the image signals appended with identical grouping information represent images associated with one another,
ii) selecting at least one predetermined piece of information from the pieces of information constituting the grouping information appended to the specific image signal,
iii) selecting all of image signals, which are appended with the same piece of information as the predetermined piece of information having been selected from the pieces of information constituting the grouping information appended to the specific image signal, from the plurality of the image signals, and
iv) performing processing on all of the image signals having thus been selected, the processing being performed for reflecting subsidiary information, which is appended to the specific image signal, on the image signals,
wherein said processing is a processing for altering the subsidiary information appended to the image signals, and
wherein said grouping information comprises information about a patient, an examination, a series number within an identical examination number and an image.
4 . The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein said processing is processing for altering the subsidiary information appended to each of image signals which are appended with the same grouping information as the grouping information appended to the specific image signal so that the subsidiary information appended to each of the image signals becomes the same as the subsidiary information appended to the specific image signal.
5 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said processing is processing for altering the subsidiary information appended to each of image signals which are appended with the same grouping information as the grouping information appended to the specific image signal so that the subsidiary information appended to each of the image signals becomes the same as the subsidiary information appended to the specific image signal.
6 . The recording medium according to claim 3 , wherein said processing is processing for altering the subsidiary information appended to each of image signals which are appended with the same grouping information as the grouping information appended to the specific image signal so that the subsidiary information appended to each of the image signals becomes the same as the subsidiary information appended to the specific image signal.