JP2018118036A - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of improving the operability of an operation input using a touch panel.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can accept an operation instruction via a touch panel, and includes a storage unit, an identification unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores related information in which an operation instruction and a finger type are associated with each other. The identification unit identifies the type of the finger that has touched any position on the touch panel. The control unit executes an operation instruction associated with the identified finger type based on the related information.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Some conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses accept operation instructions from an operator via physical operation switches such as button switches and dials and a touch command screen (TCS). The touch command screen is an operation device that includes a touch panel, displays a soft key on the touch panel, and receives an operation instruction corresponding to the soft key at a position touched by an operator's finger or the like. Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, the touch command screen and the touch panel may be identified with each other.

  There is also known an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that receives an operation instruction via a touch command screen without providing the physical operation switch described above. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, soft keys corresponding to functions for which operation instructions have been conventionally input using physical operation switches are displayed on the touch panel. Moreover, the layout of the soft keys displayed on the touch panel can be dynamically changed according to various operation modes of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and operation instructions by the operator.

  However, when the operator inputs an operation instruction via the touch panel, the operation may be inconvenient. As an example, there is a case where a so-called blind touch operation is performed. When a physical operation switch is used, the operator can perform a blind touch operation while feeling the unevenness of the operation switch by touching a finger. When a flat touch panel is used, it is difficult to perform a blind touch operation while grasping the position of the soft key, and there is a possibility that an operation instruction is mistaken. For example, when an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used in a mass examination, it is necessary to input operation instructions according to a generally defined routine and to accurately process many examinations in a short period of time. Yes. The operation input method using the touch panel may make the operator feel inconvenient in such a scene.

JP-A-2015-198810

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of improving the operability of operation input using a touch panel.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can accept an operation instruction via a touch panel, and includes a storage unit, an identification unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores related information in which an operation instruction and a finger type are associated with each other. The identification unit identifies the type of the finger that has touched any position on the touch panel. The control unit executes an operation instruction associated with the identified finger type based on the related information.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of the relevant information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the sensor which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and a touchscreen. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of the relevant information displayed on the display which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the relevant information which concerns on the modification 1, and a partial region. The block diagram which shows the structure of the modification 2. FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Modification 3. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of the several finger | toe which touched the touchscreen which concerns on the modification 3. FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Modification 4. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the projector and sensor which concern on the modification 4, and an operation area | region.

  Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 1, a transmission / reception circuit 2, an image generation circuit 3, a touch panel 4, a storage circuit 5, a sensor 6, an identification circuit 7, and system control. The circuit 8 includes a display control circuit 9 and a display 10.

  The ultrasonic probe 1 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject and receives reflected waves from the subject. The ultrasonic probe 1 outputs an echo signal based on the reflected wave from the subject to the transmission / reception circuit 2.

  The transmission / reception circuit 2 supplies an electrical signal to the ultrasonic probe 1 based on a control signal from the system control circuit 8 to transmit ultrasonic waves beamformed (transmitted beamformed) to a predetermined focal point. The transmission / reception circuit 2 receives an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe 1. The transmission / reception circuit 2 performs a delay process on the echo signal to convert the analog echo signal into a reception signal obtained by phasing and adding. The transmission / reception circuit 2 outputs the reception signal to the image generation circuit 3.

  The image generation circuit 3 generates an ultrasonic image based on the reception signal from the transmission / reception circuit 2. For example, the image generation circuit 3 performs band-pass filter processing on the received signal, then detects the envelope of the output signal, and performs compression processing by logarithmic conversion on the detected data. Then, the image generation circuit 3 converts the received signal (ultrasonic raster data) after the compression processing into a display coordinate system (scan conversion processing). Thereby, an ultrasonic image is generated. The generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the display 10 by the system control circuit 8 and the display control circuit 9.

  The touch panel 4 receives an operation by an operator such as a doctor or an engineer, and outputs an operation instruction corresponding to the content of the operation to the system control circuit 8. For example, the touch panel 4 in a general operation state displays a soft key and detects contact of an operator's finger or the like. The touch panel 4 outputs an operation instruction corresponding to the soft key displayed at the detected contact position to the system control circuit 8. The touch panel 4 in another operation state accepts an operation instruction by a blind touch operation (details will be described later).

  The storage circuit 5 is an example of a storage unit in the claims. The storage circuit 5 stores related information in which a finger type and an operation instruction are associated with each other. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of related information. For example, the related information T1 is table information, and in the related information T1, a finger type (Finger; finger1 to finger5) and an operation instruction (Switch CODE; 0x1000, 0x1500, 0x1300, 0x1400, 0x1A00) are associated. Specific types (thumb, forefinger,..., Little finger) assigned to the types of fingers (each Finger) can be set and changed as appropriate by an operator or the like. Further, specific operation instructions (Freeze, SET, NEXT, etc.) assigned to the operation instructions (each Switch CODE) can be appropriately set and changed by an operator or the like.

  The storage circuit 5 may store a plurality of related information. For example, in this case, the operator selects a desired table from the plurality of tables, and the related information of the selected table is applied. Thereby, the operator can select a desired table from among a plurality of tables having different associations between finger types and operation instructions.

  The sensor 6 detects the shape and size of the operator's hand. Examples of hardware used for the sensor 6 include an optical sensor and a camera. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the sensor 6 and the touch panel 4. The sensor 6 is appropriately installed at a position where the operator's hand H in the vicinity of the touch panel 4 can be detected (a detection range by the sensor 6 is schematically shown by a broken line). For example, the sensor 6 detects the shape and size of the hand at each predetermined sampling rate, and outputs detection information indicating the detected shape and size to the identification circuit 7.

  The identification circuit 7 is a processor that identifies the type of the finger that has touched the touch panel 4. The identification circuit 7 is an example of an identification unit in the claims. For example, the identification circuit 7 stores in advance statistical information in which the hand shape and size are associated with the finger type. The identification circuit 7 identifies the type of each finger of the hand detected by the sensor 6 by comparing the detection information from the sensor 6 with the statistical information. Thus, the identification circuit 7 can identify the type of each finger located in the vicinity of the touch panel 4. The identification circuit 7 performs this identification process for each predetermined sampling rate.

  The system control circuit 8 is a processor that controls each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The system control circuit 8 is an example of a control unit in the claims. For example, the system control circuit 8 stores and executes a program for controlling each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. For example, the system control circuit 8 outputs the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation circuit 3 to the display control circuit 9. Further, the system control circuit 8 executes an operation instruction associated with the finger type identified by the identification circuit 7 based on the related information stored in the storage circuit 5. This operation instruction corresponds to an operation instruction by a blind touch operation. Hereinafter, a process when an operation instruction by a blind touch operation is received will be described.

  The touch panel 4 in an operation state that accepts a blind touch operation does not need to display a soft key. When the touch panel 4 detects the contact of the operator's finger, the touch panel 4 outputs a contact position signal indicating the position touched on the touch panel 4 to the system control circuit 8 and the identification circuit 7. The identification circuit 7 identifies the type of finger touching the touch panel 4 by comparing the contact position signal with the type of finger near the touch panel 4. The system control circuit 8 specifies an operation instruction associated with the type of the finger touching the touch panel 4 by collating the type of the finger touching the touch panel 4 with the related information stored in the storage circuit 5. Note that when the storage circuit 5 stores a plurality of related information, the system control circuit 8 uses the related information of the selected table for collation. Then, the system control circuit 8 controls each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so as to execute the specified operation instruction.

  The display control circuit 9 is a processor that displays an ultrasonic image and other information on the display 10. The display control circuit 9 is an example of a display control unit in the claims. The display 10 is an example of a display unit in the claims. The display 10 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. For example, the display control circuit 9 displays related information on the display 10.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of related information displayed on the display 10. For example, the display control circuit 9 displays related information alongside the ultrasonic image. Here, an example is shown in which text information (TX1, TX2, TX3) indicating a hand drawn as a schematic illustration P and an operation instruction associated with each finger is displayed in the lower right portion of the display screen D. The specific design for displaying the related information is not limited to such illustrations and text information, and may be set as appropriate.

  As described above, the operation instruction is associated with the finger type and the operation instruction specified by the type of the finger touching the touch panel 4 is executed, so that the operator performs a blind touch operation without directing his / her line of sight to the touch panel 4. It becomes easy to do. For example, when the operation instruction “Freeze” is associated with the middle finger as the finger type, when the operator wants to perform the Freeze operation during the ultrasonic examination, the operator performs the Freeze operation by touching the touch panel 4 with the middle finger. It can be carried out. At this time, a Freeze operation instruction is input regardless of where the middle finger touches the touch panel 4. Therefore, the operator can perform a simple operation of touching any position on the touch panel 4 with the middle finger without looking at the touch panel 4 while looking at the ultrasonic image displayed on the display 10. . If the operator wants to input another operation instruction, the operator may touch the touch panel 4 with a finger associated with the operation instruction.

  The operation instruction set in the related information may include a switching instruction for switching on / off of the blind touch operation. For example, when a switching instruction is associated with the thumb as the finger type, when the operator wants to perform a blind touch operation, the operator can turn on the blind touch operation by touching the touch panel 4 with the thumb. it can. At this time, the blind touch operation is switched to the on state no matter where the thumb touches the touch panel 4. Then, the operator inputs an operation instruction by touching the touch panel 4 with another finger while touching the touch panel 4 with the thumb.

  While the finger associated with the switching instruction (thumb in this example) is touching the touch panel 4, the identification circuit 7 identifies the type of the finger when another finger is in contact with the finger associated with the switching instruction. To do. The system control circuit 8 specifies an operation instruction associated with the identified other finger type by collating the identified other finger type with the related information. Then, the system control circuit 8 controls each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so as to execute the specified operation instruction.

  Note that when the finger associated with the switching instruction (in this example, the thumb) is not touching the touch panel 4, that is, when the identification circuit 7 has not identified the thumb, the display control circuit 9 performs various manipulation instructions. The corresponding soft key is displayed on the touch panel 4. This state corresponds to the blind touch operation being in the off state. The operation input in the off state is performed when the operator touches a soft key corresponding to a desired operation instruction, similarly to the conventional soft key input.

  As described above, according to the configuration in which the blind touch operation can be switched on / off, the operator can perform an operation input to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus while appropriately switching between the blind touch operation and the conventional soft key operation. Can do. Thereby, the operability can be improved for the touch panel operation while appropriately switching the operation input mode.

  Further, the operation instruction input by the blind touch operation may include a cursor display and movement operation displayed on the display 10. Examples of the cursor include various cursors used by a general pointing device, a measurement caliper for measuring the size of a tissue drawn on an ultrasonic image, and the like. For example, when the finger type identified by the identification circuit 7 is a finger associated with the moving operation, the display control circuit 9 moves the position of the cursor following the movement of the finger. Accordingly, the operator can move the cursor by moving the finger while touching the touch panel 4 without looking at the touch panel 4 while looking at the ultrasonic image displayed on the display 10. .

  The operation instruction may be associated with a combination of two or more finger types. For example, when the above-described cursor movement operation is associated with the index finger and the middle finger, and both the index finger and the middle finger touch the touch panel 4, the display control circuit 9 moves the cursor following the movement of these two fingers. In this case, the identification circuit 7 identifies all types of fingers that are simultaneously in contact with the touch panel 4.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. Here, for the sake of explanation, an operation in the case where the operator performs a blind touch operation while viewing an ultrasonic image during an ultrasonic examination will be described.

  Step S101: In the blind touch operation state, the display control circuit 9 sequentially displays ultrasonic images and displays related information in which the finger type and the operation instruction are associated with each other on the display 10.

  Step S102: When the operator brings his hand close to the touch panel 4, the sensor 6 detects the shape and size of the operator's hand. The sensor 6 outputs detection information indicating the detected shape and size to the identification circuit 7.

  Step S103: The identification circuit 7 determines the type of each finger detected by the sensor 6 by comparing the detection information from the sensor 6 with the statistical information in which the hand shape and size are associated with the finger type. Identify.

  Step S <b> 104: The touch panel 4 outputs a contact position signal indicating a position touched by the finger to the system control circuit 8 and the identification circuit 7. The identification circuit 7 identifies the type of finger touching the touch panel 4 by comparing the contact position signal with the type of finger near the touch panel 4.

  Step S105: The system control circuit 8 specifies an operation instruction associated with the type touching the touch panel 4 by collating the type of the finger touching the touch panel 4 with the related information stored in the storage circuit 5. Then, the system control circuit 8 controls each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so as to execute the specified operation instruction.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment, the operator simply touches any position on the touch panel 4 with a finger corresponding to a desired operation instruction without directing his / her line of sight to the touch panel 4. Blind touch operation can be performed. Thereby, even when a flat touch panel is used, the speed and accuracy of operation input using the touch panel can be improved.

<Modification 1>
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment will be described. Here, the content different from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be mainly described. Description of the same contents as those of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment may be omitted.

  The storage circuit 5 according to Modification 1 stores related information for each partial region of the touch panel 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the related information stored in the storage circuit 5 according to the first modification and the partial area. Here, an example in which the partial area A1 is set at the lower right of the touch panel 4 and the partial area A2 is set at the lower left of the touch panel 4 will be described. These partial areas (A1, A2) may be preset or may be set by an operation by an operator. In the related information T2, the finger type (Finger; finger1 to finger5) and the operation instruction (Switch CODE; 0x1000, 0x1500, 0x1300, 0x1400, 0x1A00) are individually associated with each of the partial area A1 and the partial area A2.

  At the time of the blind touch operation, the system control circuit 8 specifies a partial region in which the finger contacts based on the contact position signal from the touch panel 4. The system control unit 8 identifies the operation instruction associated with the type of the finger touching the touch panel 4 in the related information by collating the related information corresponding to the partial area with the type of the finger touching the touch panel 4. To do. Then, the system control unit 8 controls each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so as to execute the specified operation instruction.

  In diagnosis using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, usually, an ultrasonic probe is held in the right hand and an operation input to the touch panel is performed with the left hand. However, an ultrasonic probe may be held in the left hand depending on the positional relationship between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the bed, and an operation input to the touch panel may be performed with the right hand. According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first modification, related information can be set in a partial region that is easy to touch the operator touch panel according to the positional relationship. Thereby, the operability of the operation input can be improved according to the positional relationship between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the bed.

<Modification 2>
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment will be described. Here, the content different from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be mainly described. Description of the same contents as those of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment may be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the second modification. The identification circuit 7 of Modification 2 includes a specific circuit 71. The identification circuit 71 is a processor that identifies the operator based on the detection result by the sensor. For example, the specifying circuit 71 stores shape size information indicating the shape and size of the hand for each operator ID. The specifying circuit 71 specifies the operator by collating the detection information from the sensor 6 with the shape size information. The identifying circuit 71 outputs the identified operator ID of the operator to the system control circuit 8.

  The storage circuit 5 stores related information for each operator ID. For example, the operator can create related information according to the habit or preference of his / her operation and store it in the storage circuit 5 in advance. The system control circuit 8 executes an operation instruction based on the related information from the specific circuit 71 according to the operator ID. For example, when the operator brings his hand close to the touch panel 4, the sensor 6 outputs detection information to the specific circuit 71. The specifying circuit 71 specifies an operator based on the detection information, and outputs the specified operator ID of the operator to the system control unit 8. The system control circuit 8 collates the type of the finger touching the touch panel 4 with the related information according to the operator ID, thereby giving an operation instruction associated with the type of the finger touching the touch panel 4 in the related information. Identify. Then, the system control circuit 8 controls each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so as to execute the specified operation instruction.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the modification 2, the relevant information according to the desire for each operator is automatically selected. Thereby, the operativity of the operation input used with the touch panel can be improved as desired for each operator.

<Modification 3>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third modification. Unlike the first embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the modified example 3 identifies the finger type without using the sensor 6. Hereinafter, content different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. A description of the same contents as in the first embodiment may be omitted.

  When the operator touches the touch panel 4 with a plurality of fingers, the touch panel 4 detects the contact position of each finger and outputs the contact position information to the system control circuit 8 and the identification circuit 7. Accordingly, the identification circuit 7 detects the positions of a plurality of fingers that are in contact with the touch panel 4.

  The identification circuit 7 identifies the type of each finger based on the detected positional relationship between the plurality of fingers. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a plurality of fingers touching the touch panel 4. The identification circuit 7 stores statistical information related to the shape of the hand in advance. The ratio such as the length of each finger is included in the statistical information. Thereby, the relative positional relationship when each finger contacts the touch panel 4 can be obtained. The identification circuit 7 individually identifies the type of the finger touching each contact position by comparing the statistical information with the contact position information by the touch panel 4. In FIG. 9, the contact position for each identified finger type is indicated by coordinates (finger X1 to finger X5, finger Y1 to finger Y4).

  The operator can once release a finger corresponding to a desired operation instruction from the plurality of fingers touching the touch panel 4 from the touch panel 4. At this time, the other fingers are still touching the touch panel 4. The operator can input a desired operation instruction by touching the touch panel 4 again with a finger corresponding to the desired operation instruction.

  At this time, the identification circuit 7 collates the contact position information indicating the contact position of the finger touched again with the coordinates of the finger identified before touching again, and identifies the type of the finger touched again. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, when the contact position information of the finger touched again indicates the coordinates of “finger X3, finger Y1”, the identification circuit 7 identifies the type of the finger touched again as “middle finger”. Note that when the finger touches again, an error from the previous coordinate may occur, but an allowable range of error used for identification may be set as appropriate. Then, the system control circuit 8 controls each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus so as to execute an operation instruction associated with the identified finger type.

  Also in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the modified example 3, the operator touches any arbitrary position on the touch panel 4 with a finger corresponding to a desired operation instruction without directing his / her line of sight to the touch panel 4. It can be performed. Thereby, even when a flat touch panel is used, the speed and accuracy of operation input using the touch panel can be improved.

<Modification 4>
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth modification. Unlike the first embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the modification 4 is configured to be able to accept an operation instruction without using a touch panel. Hereinafter, content different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. A description of the same contents as in the first embodiment may be omitted.

  The projector 11 projects light indicating a predetermined operation area. The projected light may be either visible light or non-visible light. The light projected by the projector 11 may show at least the outer edge of the operation area. Note that a general light source, a light modulator, a lens, and the like may be appropriately used for the hardware configuration of the projector 11 itself.

  The sensor 6 detects the shape and size of the operator's hand in the vicinity of the operation area. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the projector 11 and the sensor 6 and the operation area A3. The projector 11 projects light indicating the operation area A3 onto a nearby flat plate or bed. The function of the operation area A3 shown in this way corresponds to the function of the operation surface of the touch panel 4 in the above-described embodiment. The sensor 6 is appropriately installed at a position where the operator's hand H can be detected in the vicinity of the operation area A3. For example, the detection range by the sensor 6 is determined so as to detect the hand H located within a predetermined distance from the flat plate B and within the operation area A3. The specific numerical value of the detection range may be determined as appropriate. For example, the sensor 6 detects the shape and size of the operator's hand H at each predetermined sampling rate, and outputs detection information indicating the detected shape and size to the identification circuit 7. The identification circuit 7 identifies a finger near the operation area A3, as in the above-described embodiment.

  In the case of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the modified example 4, even if the touch panel 4 is not used, the operation area is projected on a flat plate, desk, wall, bed, etc. in the vicinity of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, Can be used similarly. Thereby, blind touch input using a flat operation region can be performed, and the speed and accuracy of the operation input can be improved.

  The term “processor” used in the above description refers to, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), a GPU (Graphics processing unit), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example). Simple Programmable Logic Devices (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLD), and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). It means the road. The processor implements a function by reading and executing a program stored in the storage circuit. Instead of storing the program in the storage circuit, the program may be directly incorporated in the processor circuit. In this case, the processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program incorporated in the circuit. Note that each processor of the present embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but may be configured as a single processor by combining a plurality of independent circuits to realize the function. Good. Furthermore, a plurality of components in FIG. 1 may be integrated into one processor to realize the function.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to improve the operability of operation input using a touch panel.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Transmission / reception circuit 3 Image generation circuit 4 Touch panel 5 Memory circuit 6 Sensor 7 Identification circuit 8 System control circuit 9 Display control circuit 10 Display 11 Projector 71 Specific circuit

Claims (10)

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of receiving operation instructions via a touch panel,
A storage unit for storing related information in which the operation instruction and the finger type are associated;
An identification unit for identifying the type of finger that has touched any position on the touch panel;
A control unit that executes the operation instruction associated with the identified finger type based on the related information;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The operation instruction includes a switching instruction to switch on / off of the blind touch operation,
The control unit executes the operation instruction associated with the identified finger type based on the related information when a blind touch operation is switched on.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. In the related information, a switching instruction for switching a control state by the control unit as the operation instruction is associated with a predetermined finger type,
The identification unit identifies types of a plurality of fingers that have touched the touch panel,
The control unit executes an operation instruction associated with the identified other finger type when the identified finger type includes the predetermined finger type;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The super control unit according to claim 3, further comprising: a display control unit configured to display a soft key corresponding to the operation instruction on the touch panel when the finger type identified by the identification unit does not include the predetermined finger type. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. A display control unit for displaying a cursor on the display unit;
The operation instruction includes an instruction to move the cursor,
The display control unit moves the display position of the cursor following the movement of the finger when the type of the finger identified by the identification unit is a finger associated with the movement instruction.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The identification unit is
Detecting the position of a plurality of fingers in contact with the touch panel;
Based on the positional relationship of the detected multiple positions, identify the type of each finger,
Identifying the type of the finger by collating the positional relationship with the position of the finger touching the touch panel again;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that displays the related information on a display unit. The storage unit stores the related information for each partial area of the touch panel,
The identification unit identifies a type of a finger touching the partial area;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. A sensor for detecting the shape and size of the operator's hand;
Based on the detection result by the sensor, a specific unit that identifies the operator,
Have
The storage unit stores the related information for each operator ID,
The control unit executes the operation instruction based on the related information corresponding to an operator ID corresponding to the specified operator.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of receiving an operation instruction through a defined operation area,
A storage unit for storing related information in which the operation instruction and the finger type are associated;
An identification unit for identifying the type of the finger that has input the operation instruction via any position on the operation region;
A control unit that executes the operation instruction associated with the identified finger type based on the related information;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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