Ultrasound diagnostic system

A system 100 comprises a first medical image capture apparatus UL1 and a second medical image capture apparatus UL2 that share values of at least some of a plurality of preferences and are of different kinds, wherein a first control device 81 in the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1 executes an output function of outputting a value of a preference that the first input device 71 has accepted, to a server 104 along with information on the kind of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1, and a server control device 1411 converts the output value of the preference based on conversion information, and then, transmits the converted value to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. The second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2 converts the converted value from the server 104 into that in the kind of the second medical image capture apparatus, and performs setting of the converted value.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system in which a plurality of medical image capture apparatuses are connected via a network.

BACKGROUND

A lot of information such as preferences is set in a medical image capture apparatus. For example, such information to be set in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which is an example of medical image capture apparatuses, includes preferences such as several kinds of imaging conditions for acquiring an ultrasonic image. The information also includes a body pattern, a comment, a cursor for performing measurement, conditions of image reconstruction for obtaining a 3D image or the like.

In most cases, the preferences described above are customized according to the user's purpose and/or preference. In a hospital having a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, however, there is a need to share values of the preferences for guaranteeing precision of examinations.

Among the plurality of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, however, there sometimes exist ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds, i.e., those having mutually different values of preferences. In this case, when a value of a preference set for a certain apparatus is set into another apparatus without any modification, a failure or an unexpected behavior of the apparatuses may follow.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention made for solving the above problem is a system comprising: a first medical image capture apparatus and a second medical image capture apparatus connected via a network, said first medical image capture apparatus and said second medical image capture apparatus sharing information of at least some of a plurality of preferences set in each of said first and second medical image capture apparatuses, and said first and second medical image capture apparatuses are of different kinds; a storage device; a first control device; and a second control device, wherein said first medical image capture apparatus has: an input device for accepting an input of information of the preference shared with said second medical image capture apparatus; and said first control device configured to output the information of said preference that said input device has accepted, to said network along with information on the kind of said first medical image capture apparatus, said storage device conversion information for converting information of a preference in said first medical image capture apparatus into that in said second medical image capture apparatus, said conversion information being stored according to the kinds of said first and second medical image capture apparatuses, and said second control device is configured to: convert the information of said preference output by said first control device into that in the kind of said second medical image capture apparatus based on the conversion information, said conversion information for said conversion being identified by said information on the kind of said first medical image capture apparatus output by said first control device; and set the information of said preference after being converted, into said second medical image capture apparatus.

Another embodiment of the invention made for solving the above problem is a system comprising: a plurality of medical image capture apparatuses including a plurality of kinds connected via a network, said plurality of medical image capture apparatuses including a fourth medical image capture apparatus and a fifth medical image capture apparatus that share information set and used in each of said plurality of medical image capture apparatuses, and are of the same kind; a storage device in which kind identification information for identifying a kind of each of said plurality of medical image capture apparatuses is stored; a fourth control device; a fifth control device; and a sixth control device, wherein said fourth medical image capture apparatus has: an input device for accepting an input of information set and used in said medical image capture apparatuses; and said fourth control device configured to output the information that said input device has accepted, to said network along with information on the kind of said fourth medical image capture apparatus, said sixth control device is configured to identify a fifth medical image capture apparatus of the same kind as that output by said fourth control device based on said kind identification information and output the information accepted by said input device and output from said fourth control device, to said fifth medical image capture apparatus, and said fifth medical image capture apparatus has said fifth control device, said fifth control device setting the information output by said sixth control device, into said fifth medical image capture apparatus.

According to the one embodiment described above, for the first medical image capture apparatus and second medical image capture apparatus of mutually different kinds, information of a preference input at the first medical image capture apparatus is converted based on the conversion information and set into the second medical image capture apparatus, and thus, a failure or an unexpected behavior of the apparatuses can be prevented from occurring.

According to another embodiment described above, information input at said fourth medical image capture apparatus is set into said fifth medical image capture apparatus that is identified as being of the same kind as said fourth medical image capture apparatus. Since the information is thus set into the medical image capture apparatus of the same kind, a failure or an unexpected behavior of the apparatuses can be prevented from occurring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now several embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, the medical image capture apparatus in the present invention is exemplified by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

To begin with, a first embodiment will be described. A system100shown inFIG. 1comprises a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103, and a server104. The plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103are connected with one another via a network105. The plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103are also each connected with the server104via the network105.

As shown inFIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103each comprise an ultrasonic probe2, a transmission/reception (T/R) beamformer3, an echo data processing section4, a display processing section5, a display device6, an input device7, a control device8, and a storage device9.

The ultrasonic probe2transmits ultrasound and receives its echo signals to/from a biological tissue in a subject to be examined. The T/R beamformer3drives the ultrasonic probe2to transmit ultrasound having predetermined transmission conditions based on control signals from the control device8. The T/R beamformer3also applies signal processing, such as phased addition processing, to echo signals of the ultrasound.

The echo data processing section4applies processing for producing an ultrasonic image to echo data output from the T/R beamformer3. For example, the echo data processing section4applies B-mode processing including logarithm compression processing, envelope detection processing, etc. to create B-mode data.

The display processing section5scan-converts raw data from the echo data processing section4by a scan converter to create image data. The display processing section5scan-converts the B-mode data, for example, to create B-mode image data. The display processing section5also causes an ultrasonic image based on the image data to be displayed on the display device6. The display processing section5causes, for example, a B-mode image based on the B-mode image data to be displayed on the display device6.

The display device6is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or the like.

The input device7is a device for accepting a user's input of commands and information. The input device7is configured to comprise buttons and a keyboard for accepting an operator's input of commands and information, and to further comprise a pointing device, such as a trackball.

The control device8is circuitry for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101,102,103, and is a processor, such as, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device8loads programs stored in the storage device9to control several sections in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus1. The control device9is an exemplary embodiment of the control device in the present invention.

For example, the control device8loads programs stored in the storage device9, and causes the functions of the T/R beamformer3, echo data processing section4, and display processing section5described above to be executed according to the loaded programs. The control device8may execute all of the functions of the T/R beamformer3, all of the functions of the echo data processing section4, and all of the functions of the display processing section5according to the programs, or may execute only some of the functions according to the programs. In the case that only some of the functions are executed according to the programs, the rest of the functions may be executed by hardware such as circuitry.

The control device8may also execute functions other than those of the T/R beamformer3, echo data processing section4, and display processing section5according to programs stored in the storage device8. This will be discussed in detail later.

The storage device9includes non-transitory storage media and transitory storage media. The non-transitory storage media are non-volatile storage media such as, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The non-transitory storage media may include portable storage media such as CDs (Compact Disks) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks). Programs to be executed by the control device8are stored in non-transitory storage media.

The transitory storage media are volatile storage media, such as RAM (Random Access Memory).

In each of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103, information including a plurality of preferences is set. The information is used in each of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103. Specifically, the information includes, in each of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103, imaging conditions for acquiring an ultrasonic image, information given to the ultrasonic image, information used for performing measurement in the ultrasonic image, and reconstruction conditions for performing image reconstruction based on data of the ultrasonic image. Note that the information are not limited thereto.

The imaging conditions include, for example, a gain value, a focal point depth, an image filter, and a contrast value. The imaging conditions may be set for each of a plurality of body parts in the subject. In this case, imaging conditions for each of the plurality of body parts constitute a respective different information or different preference.

The information given to an ultrasonic image includes, for example, a comment provided to the ultrasonic image, and a body pattern. The information used for performing measurement in the ultrasonic image include, for example, a cursor displayed on the ultrasonic image for performing measurement, and a calculation formula. The reconstruction conditions for performing image reconstruction based on data of the ultrasonic images include, for example, reconstruction conditions for producing a 3D or 4D image.

Among the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103, those sharing at least some of the plurality of preferences and being of different kinds will be referred to herein as a first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1and a second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. The kinds include, for example, the version of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, or the purpose of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, such as an obstetric purpose or a general purpose. The version represents, for example, a history of revision of the specification of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 3shows the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1and second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. The first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1is one of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103at which an input of information of a preference is performed. For example, the information of the preference includes imaging conditions for acquiring an ultrasonic image. Any one of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103may serve as the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1. The second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2is one of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103into which the information of the preference input at the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1is set. Any one of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103may serve as the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2.

As shown inFIG. 3, the input device7, control device8, and storage device9in the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1are designated herein as a first input device71, a first control device81, and a first storage device91, respectively. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 3, the control device8and storage device9in the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2are designated herein as a second control device82and a second storage device92, respectively. Note that inFIG. 3are shown only part of the components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown inFIG. 2.

The first input device71is an exemplary embodiment of the input device in the present invention. The first control device81loads a program stored in the first storage device91, and causes the function of the first transmitting section811to be executed according to the program. The function of the first transmitting section811will be discussed later. The function of the first transmitting section811is an exemplary embodiment of the output function in the present invention. The first control device81is an exemplary embodiment of the first control device in the present invention.

The second control device82loads programs stored in the second storage device92, and causes the functions of a converting section821and a setting section822to be executed according to the programs. The functions of the converting section821and setting section822will be discussed later. The function of the converting section821is an exemplary embodiment of the converting function in the present invention. The function of the setting section822is an exemplary embodiment of the setting function in the present invention. The second control device82is an exemplary embodiment of the second control device in the present invention.

In the second storage device92is stored second conversion information. Details thereof will be discussed later. The second storage device is an exemplary embodiment of the storage device in the present invention.

Information of a preference input at the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1is input to the server104via the network105(not shown inFIG. 3), is subjected to conversion at the server104, and is input from the server104to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2via the network105.

The server104has a server control device141and a server storage device142. The server control device141loads programs stored in the server storage device142, and causes the functions of a converting section1411and a server transmitting section1412according to the programs. The functions of the converting section1411and server transmitting section1412will be discussed later. The server control device141is an exemplary embodiment of the second control device in the present invention.

In the server storage device142is stored first conversion information. Details thereof will be discussed later. The first conversion information and the aforementioned second conversion information constitute exemplary embodiments of the conversion information in the present invention. The server storage device142is an exemplary embodiment of the storage device in the present invention.

Next, an operation of the present embodiment will be described based on the flow chart inFIG. 4. The flow chart inFIG. 4is a flow representing the processing when setting information of a preference input at the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1as information of the preference in the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2.

First, at Step S1, the first input device71in the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1accepts an operator's input of information of a preference. The information of the preference input here is one to be shared among the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103. In the present embodiment, the first input device71accepts as information of a preference an input of, for example, selecting one of a plurality of image filters as an image filter to be used in ultrasonic image production. The plurality of image filters will be described inFIG. 5toFIG. 7below. The value input at Step S1is stored in the first storage device91.

Next, at Step S2, the first transmitting section811transmits the information of the preference input at Step S1to the server104via the network105. The first transmitting section811transmits the information of said preference to said server104along with information on the kind of the one (corresponding to the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1) of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103at which the input of the information of the preference is performed at Step S1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the input of the information of the preference is performed at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101. That is, the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101.

The information on the kind is stored in the first storage device91in the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1. In the present embodiment, the information on the kind is information on the version of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101is in version2(Ver.2), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102is in version3(Ver.3), and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103is in version1(Ver.1). A larger one of the version numbers 1 to 3 indicates that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is in a version later in time.

As described earlier, in the present embodiment, the input of the information of the preference is performed at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101, and accordingly, the information on the kind transmitted by the first transmitting section811is information representing version2.

Next, at Step S3, the information of the preference and information representing version2transmitted at Step S2is input to the server104. The converting section1411then performs conversion on the information of the preference input to the server104. Here, conversion into an oldest one of the versions of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2is performed. The oldest version is version1.

Now details of the conversion processing by the converting section1411will be particularly described. In the present embodiment, at Step S1described above, the information of the preference input at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101is an image filter. Here, in the storage device9in each of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103are stored a plurality of image filters. Exemplary image filters in each of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103are shown inFIGS. 5 to 7. The information on an image filter includes a filter name of the image filter and a mathematical function for the image filter under the filter name. The filter name corresponds to formal information of the preference. The mathematical function of the image filter corresponds to substantial information of the preference.

InFIG. 5is shown information If1on image filters stored in the storage device9of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103in version1. The image filter information If1includes filter names “Filter0” to “Filter5,” and “Mathematical function f0” to “Mathematical function f5,” which are mathematical functions for the image filters under those filter names.

InFIG. 6is shown information If2on image filters stored in the storage device9of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101in version2. The image filter information If2includes filter names “Filter0” to “Filter6,” and “Mathematical function f0” to “Mathematical function f6,” which are mathematical functions for the image filters under those filter names.

InFIG. 7is shown information If3on image filters stored in the storage device9of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102in version3. The image filter information If3includes filter names “Filter0” to “Filter7,” and “Mathematical function f0” to “Mathematical function f7,” which are mathematical functions for the image filters under those filter names.

Combinations of filter names and mathematical functions for the image filters in the image filter information If2include different combinations from those in the image filter information If1. Specifically, there exists the mathematical function f6in the image filter information If2between the mathematical functions f1and f2that does not exist in the image filter information If1, so that the combinations of filter names and mathematical functions after Filter2are different between the image filter information If1and the image filter information If2.

Moreover, combinations of filter names and mathematical functions for the image filters in the image filter information If3include different combinations from those in the image filter information If2. Specifically, there exists the mathematical function f7in the image filter information If3between the mathematical functions f3and f4that does not exist in the image filter information If2, so that the combinations of filter names and mathematical functions after Filter5are different between the image filter information If2and the image filter information If3.

Likewise, combinations of filter names and mathematical functions for the image filters in the image filter information If3include different combinations from those in the image filter information If1.

In the server storage device142in the server104are stored first conversion information Ic1A, Ic1B shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. The first conversion information Ic1A, Ic1B are information on conversion into filter names and mathematical functions in one of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL2that is in the oldest version.

Specifically, the first conversion information Ic1A is information for converting a filter name and a mathematical function in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101in version2into those in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103in version1. That is, the first conversion information Ic1A is information for converting formal information and substantial information of a preference in the version of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101into those in the version of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103. The first conversion information Ic1A is also information on conversion on the filter name for filters having the same filter name but different mathematical functions between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103. The filter names for filters having the same filter name and the same mathematical function between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103is not included in the first conversion information Ic1A because the converting section1411does not perform conversion between them.

Among the mathematical functions f1to f6in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101, the mathematical function f6that does not exist in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103is defined in the first conversion information Ic1A so that it is converted into one of the mathematical functions f1to f5in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103by which image quality closest to that obtained using the mathematical function f6can be attained. In the present embodiment, image quality obtained using the mathematical function f6is closest to that obtained using the mathematical function f5, and accordingly, the first conversion information Ic1A is defined so that the filter name “Filter2” is converted into the filter name “Filter5” and the mathematical function f6is converted into the mathematical function f5.

The first conversion information Ic1B is information for converting a filter name and a mathematical function in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102in version3into those in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103in version1. That is, the first conversion information Ic1B is information for converting formal information and substantial information of a preference in the version of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102into those in the version of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103. The first conversion information Ic1B is information on conversion on the filter name for filters having the same filter name but different mathematical functions between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103. The filter name for a filter having the same filter name and the same mathematical function between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103is not included in the first conversion information Ic1B because the converting section1411does not perform conversion between them.

Among the mathematical functions f1to f7in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102, the mathematical functions f6, f7that do not exist in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103are defined in the first conversion information Ic1B so that they are converted into ones of the mathematical functions f1to f5in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103by which image quality closest to that obtained using the mathematical functions f6, f7can be attained. In the present embodiment, image quality obtained using the mathematical function f6is closest to that obtained using the mathematical function f5, and accordingly, the first conversion information Ic1B is defined so that the filter name “Filter2” is converted into the filter name “Filter5” and the mathematical function f6is converted into the mathematical function f5. Similarly, image quality obtained using the mathematical function f7is closest to that obtained using the mathematical function f5, and accordingly, the first conversion information Ic1B is defined so that the mathematical function f7is converted into the mathematical function f5. The filter name for the mathematical function f7, however, is the same as that for the mathematical function f5in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103, which is Filter5, and accordingly, conversion on the filter name does not have to be defined in the first conversion information Ic1B.

The first conversion information Ic1A, Ic1B are each an exemplary embodiment of the first conversion information in the present invention. The filter names for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103in the first conversion information Ic1A, Ic1B are each an exemplary embodiment of the third value in the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the converting section1411performs conversion using the first conversion information Ic1A because the information on the kind input to the server104is information as version2. For example, in the case that an input for selecting Filter6is performed at Step S1, the converting section1411converts “Image filter6” into “Image filter5” using the first conversion information Ic1A.

Here, in the case that Filter6chosen in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101is set into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses102,103as well, the value (mathematical function f4) for Filter6in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102is different from that in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101. On the other hand, while in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103the same mathematical function as the mathematical function f5for Filter6in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101exists, the filter name “Filter6” does not exist. Thus, since different combinations of filter names and mathematical functions between ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in different versions sometimes have different information of preferences, conversion processing is required when setting Filter6selected in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses102,103as well.

Once conversion on the information of the preference has been performed at Step S3, the server transmitting section1412transmits the converted information of the preference to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2via the network105(not shown inFIG. 3) at Step S4. The second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2designates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses102,103, and the information representing “Image filter5,” which is the filter name, is transmitted to them.

At Step S5, the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2converts the information representing “Image filter5,” which is the filter name, that the server transmitting section1412has transmitted, into that in the version of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as needed. Specifically, the converting section821in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102performs conversion based on second conversion information Ic2A shown inFIG. 10.

The second conversion information Ic2A is information for converting the information of the preference for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the oldest version into that in the version of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. Specifically, the second conversion information Ic2A is information for converting the filter name in version1into that in version3. That is, in the present embodiment, the second conversion information Ic2A is information for converting the formal information of the preference in the version of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103into that in the version of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102. The second conversion information Ic2A is an exemplary embodiment of the second conversion information in the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the converting section821converts the filter name “Filter5” into the filter name “Filter7” using the second conversion information Ic2A. Then, the setting section822performs setting of the image filter by storing into the second storage device92the filter name “Filter7” and mathematical function f5as the image filter to be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103is in version1into which the conversion has been performed at the server104, and accordingly, no conversion occurs in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103, the setting section822performs setting of the image filter by storing into the second storage device92the filter name “Image filter5” and mathematical function f5as the image filter to be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103.

According to the present embodiment described above, even when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses102,103have different versions, an image filter having the same mathematical function as that for an image filter selected at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101can be set into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses102,103as well. Thus, a failure or an unexpected behavior of the apparatuses can be prevented from occurring.

Next, variations of the first embodiment will be described. To begin with, a first variation will be described. As shown inFIG. 11, the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2in a system100in the first variation does not have the converting section821. In the present variation, conversion into all versions is performed by the converting section1411in the server104.

Now conversion in the first variation will be specifically described based on the flow chart inFIG. 12. Steps S11, S12are similar to Steps S1, S2inFIG. 4, description of which will be omitted. In the present variation, again, it is assumed that an input for selecting an image filter is performed at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101.

At Step S13, information of a preference and information representing version2transmitted at Step S12are input to the server104, as in Step S3. The converting section1411then performs conversion on the information of the preference input to the server104. Here, conversion from version2to versions1and3is performed.

Now details will be described. In the server storage device142of the server104are stored conversion information IcD to IcF shown inFIGS. 13 to 15. The conversion information IcD is information on mutual conversion between a filter name and a mathematical function for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103in version1and those for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101in version2. The conversion information IcE is information on mutual conversion between a filter name and a mathematical function for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101in version2and those for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102in version3. Note that the information for Filter5for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102indicated by a unidirectional arrow inFIG. 14is for converting the filter name in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102into that in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101, instead of information on mutual conversion between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102. The conversion information IcF is information on mutual conversion between the filter name and mathematical function for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103in version1and those for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102in version3. Note that the information for Filters2and5for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102indicated by unidirectional arrows inFIG. 15is for converting the filter name in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102into that in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103, instead of information on mutual conversion.

The conversion information IcD to IcF are each an exemplary embodiment of the conversion information in the present invention.

Since in the present variation, the information on the kind input to the server104is information in version2, the converting section1411performs conversion using the conversion information IcD, IcE. For example, in the case that an input for selecting Image filter6is performed at Step S11, the converting section1411converts “Image filter6” into “Image filter5” using the conversion information IcD, and “Image filter6” into “Image filter7” using the conversion information IcE.

Next, at Step S14, the server transmitting section1412transmits the information of the preference converted at Step S13to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2via the network105(not shown inFIG. 11). The second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2designates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses102,103. The server transmitting section1412transmits information on the image filter according to the versions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses102,103to them. The server transmitting section1412performs the transmission based on version identification information Iv for identifying the versions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103shown inFIG. 16.

The version identification information Iv is stored in the server storage device142. Since in the present variation, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses102,103serve as the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2, the information Iv on the version contains information on the version of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. Therefore, the version identification information Iv is an exemplary embodiment of the kind identification information for identifying the kind of the second medical image capture apparatus in the present invention. It will be easily recognized that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102or103may serve as the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101may serve as the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2.

The server transmitting section1412identifies an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which an image filter according to the version is to be transmitted, based on the version identification information Iv. Specifically, the server transmitting section1412transmits the information representing “Image filter5” converted into version1at Step S13, to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103in version1via the network105based on the version identification information Iv. The server transmitting section1412also transmits the information representing “Image filter7” converted into version3at Step S13, to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102in version3via the network105based on the version identification information Iv.

Next, at Step S15, the setting section822in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103serving as the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2performs setting of the image filter by storing into the second storage device92“Image filter5” and its mathematical function f5transmitted from the server104as the image filter to be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103. Similarly, the setting section822in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102serving as the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2performs setting of the image filter by storing into the second storage device92“Image filter7” and its mathematical function f5transmitted from the server104as the image filter to be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102.

Next, a second variation will be described. As shown inFIG. 17, the system100in the second variation has a third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3. However, since the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that shares information of preferences set in the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1, it also corresponds to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. The third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3is one of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL2for performing conversion of information of preferences, as will be described below.

The third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3comprises a second control device82having a converting section821, a setting section822, and a second transmitting section823, and a second storage device92. In the present variation, conversion into all versions is achieved by the converting section821in the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3, as will be discussed below. The second control device82in the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3is an exemplary embodiment of the second control device in the present invention. A transmitting function by the second transmitting section823in the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3is an exemplary embodiment of the transmitting function the second control device executes in the present invention.

While in the present variation the second control device82in the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2has the setting section822, it does not have a converting section or a second transmitting section. Moreover, while the server control device141in the server104has the server transmitting section1412, it does not have a converting section. The server control device141in the present embodiment is an exemplary embodiment of the server control device in the present invention.

An operation of the second variation will be described based on the flow chart inFIG. 18. Steps S21, S22are similar to Step S1, S2inFIG. 4, description of which will be omitted. In the present embodiment, again, it is assumed that an input for selecting an image filter has been performed at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101.

At Step S23, the server transmitting section1412transmits the information of the preference and information representing version2transmitted at Step S22, to the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3via the network105. The transmitting function of the server transmitting section1412is an exemplary embodiment of the output function executed by the server control device in the present invention.

Next, at Step S24, the information of the preference and information representing version2transmitted at Step S23are input to the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3. The third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102in the latest version among the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103. The converting section821in the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3then performs conversion of the information of the preference input to the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3. In the present variation, again, conversion from version2into versions1and3is performed, as in the first variation.

In the present variation, in the second storage device92in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102serving as the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3are stored conversion information IcD to IcF described regarding the first variation and shown inFIG. 13toFIG. 15. The converting section821performs conversion using the conversion information IcD, IcE, as in the first variation.

Here, the reason why the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102in the latest version serves as the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3is that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus102in the latest version is capable of carrying information on version-to-version conversion for all the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in the system100.

Next, at Step S25, the setting section822in the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3performs setting of the image filter by storing into the second storage device92“Image filter7” and its mathematical function f5converted from “Image filter6” at Step S24as the image filter to be used in the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3. Moreover, the second transmitting section823in the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3transmits the information representing “Image filter5” converted from “Image filter6” at Step S24to the server104via the network105, along with its version information (version1).

Next, at Step S26, the server transmitting section1412transmits to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2via the network105the information representing “Image filter5” transmitted from the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3at Step S25.

The server transmitting section1412identifies the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2that is the destination of transmission of the information representing “Image filter5” based on the version identification information Iv, as in the first variation. More particularly, the server transmitting section1412identifies the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2that is the destination of transmission of the information representing “Image filter5” as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103based on the information representing version1transmitted from the third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL3at Step S25and the version identification information Iv. The server transmitting section1412then transmits the information representing “Image filter5” to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103via the network105.

Next, at Step S27, the setting section822in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103serving as the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2performs setting of the image filter by storing into the second storage device92“Image filter5” and its mathematical function f5transmitted from the server104as the image filter to be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus103.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, details of similar matters to those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

A system200in the present embodiment comprises ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205, as shown inFIG. 19. Again, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205each have a configuration shown inFIG. 2, as in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses101,102,103.

In the present embodiment, the system200has a fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4and a fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5, as shown inFIG. 20. In the present embodiment, the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5are those of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205that share at least some preferences.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4is one of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205at which input of information of a preference is performed. The fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus into which the information of the preference input at the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4is set. Moreover, the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5are those of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205that are of the same kind.

In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 21, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201is in version1(Ver.1), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus202is in version2(Ver.2), and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus203is in version3(Ver.3). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus204is in version2(Ver.2), and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205is in version1(Ver.1). Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,205are ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of the same kind, between which at least some preferences are shared. Similarly, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses202,204are ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of the same kind, between which at least some preferences are shared. The system200in the present embodiment may be said to comprise ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of a plurality of kinds.

Version identification information Iv for identifying the version of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205shown inFIG. 21is stored in the server storage device142in the server104. The version identification information Iv in the present embodiment is an exemplary embodiment of the kind identification information for identifying a kind of each of the plurality of medical image capture apparatuses in the present invention.

In the present embodiment, image filters in each of versions1,2,3are similar to those in the first embodiment. That is, in the storage device9of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,205in version1is stored image filter information If1shown inFIG. 5. In the storage device9of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses202,204in version2is stored the image filter information If2shown inFIG. 6. In the storage device9of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus203in version3is stored the information on the image filter If3shown inFIG. 7.

The input device7, control device8, and storage device9of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4in the present embodiment will be referred to herein as a fourth input device74, a fourth control device84, and a fourth storage device94, respectively, as shown inFIG. 20. The control device8and storage device9of the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5will be referred to herein as a fifth control device85and a fifth storage device95, respectively, as shown inFIG. 20.

The fourth input device74is an exemplary embodiment of the input device in the present invention. The fourth control device84loads a program stored in the fourth storage device94, and causes the function of the fourth transmitting section841to be executed according to the program. The function of the fourth transmitting section841will be discussed later. The function of the fourth transmitting section841is an exemplary embodiment of the fourth output function in the present invention. The fourth control device84is an exemplary embodiment of the fourth control device in the present invention.

The fifth control device85loads a program stored in the fifth storage device95, and causes the function of the setting section852to be executed according to the program. The function of the setting section852will be discussed later. The function of setting section852is an exemplary embodiment of the setting function in the present invention. The fifth control device85is an exemplary embodiment of the fifth control device in the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the server control device141in the server104has a server transmitting section1412and an identifying section1413. The functions of the server transmitting section1412and identifying section1413will be discussed later. The server control device141is an exemplary embodiment of the sixth control device in the present invention. The function of the server transmitting section1412is an exemplary embodiment of the sixth output function in the present invention. The function of the identifying section1413is an exemplary embodiment of the identifying function in the present invention.

Now an operation of the second embodiment will be described based on the flow chart inFIG. 22. First, at Step S31, the fourth input device74in the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4accepts an operator's input of information of a preference. The information of the preference input here is one to be shared among those of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205that have the same version. In the present embodiment, the first input device74accepts an input of selecting one of a plurality of image filters, as in the first embodiment. Similarly to the first embodiment, said input is accepted at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201. That is, the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201.

Next, at Step S32, the fourth transmitting section841transmits information on the image filter input at Step S31to the server104via the network105. The fourth transmitting section841transmits said information on the image filter along with information representing the version (version1) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201to said server104, as in the first embodiment. The information on the image filter may be a filter name or a mathematical function.

At Step S33, the identifying section1413decides whether or not there exists in the system200any fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5in the same version as that transmitted to the server104at Step S32. The identifying section1413makes the decision based on the version identification information Iv. Since information representing version1of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus101is transmitted at Step S32in the present embodiment, the identifying section1413decides whether or not there exists an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in version1, which is the same as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201, based on the version identification information Iv. Since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205is in version1in the version identification information Iv in the present embodiment, the identifying section1413decides that there exists an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in version1, which is the same as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201. The identifying section1413then identifies the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205as the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5in the same version as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201.

In the case that it is decided that there exists the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5in the same version at Step S33(“YES” at Step S33), the flow moves to the processing at Step S34. On the other hand, in the case that it is decided that there exists no fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5in the same version at Step S33(“NO” at Step S33), the processing is terminated.

Since in the present embodiment, the identifying section1413decides that there exists an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in version1that is the same as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201, the flow goes to Step S34. At Step S34, the server transmitting section1412transmits the information on the image filter transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201, to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205identified as the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5at Step S33.

Next, at Step35, the setting section852sets the image filter transmitted from the server104as the image filter to be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205serving as the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5. The setting section852performs the setting of the image filter by storing the filter name and its mathematical function of the image filter into the fifth storage device95.

According to the present embodiment described above, image filters are set for the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5in the same version, and thus, a failure or an unexpected behavior of the apparatuses can be prevented from occurring.

Next, variations of the second embodiment will be described. First, a first variation will be described. As shown inFIG. 23, the system200in the first variation has a seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL7and an eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8. In the present variation, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202shown inFIG. 19correspond to the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL7, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus204,205correspond to the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8. That is, while inFIG. 23, the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL7and eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8are each shown to comprise one apparatus, the system200comprises a plurality of the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL7and a plurality of the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL8.

Moreover, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202are in mutually different versions, so that the plurality of seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL7are of mutually different kinds. Similarly, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus204,205are in mutually different versions, so that the plurality of eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL8are of mutually different kinds.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,205are of the same version, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses202,204are of the same version, so that the system200comprises ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of the same kind between the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL7and eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL8. It is assumed here that the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL7and eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8shown inFIG. 23are ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of the same version.

The seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL7has the fourth input device74, fourth control device84, and fourth storage device94. The eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8has the fifth control device85and fifth storage device95.

Of the plurality of seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL7and the plurality of eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL8, those sharing information of preferences constitute the fourth medical image capture apparatus UL4and fifth medical image capture apparatus UL5.

Now an operation of the present variation will be described based on the flow chart inFIG. 24. First, at Step S41, the fourth input device74in the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL7accepts an operator's input of information of a preference. In the present variation, again, the fourth input device74accepts an input of selecting one of a plurality of image filters, as in Step S31described above. Said input is accepted at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201, as in Step S31described above.

At Step S42, similar processing to that at Step S32is performed. In the present variation, however, information representing the version (version1) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201is further transmitted to the server104.

Next, at Step S43, the identifying section1413decides whether or not there exists in the system200any eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8in the same version as that transmitted to the server104at Step S42, as in Step S33. At Step S42in the present variation, the information representing version1of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201is transmitted, so that the identifying section1413decides whether or not there exists any ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in version1that is the same as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201based on the identification information Iv shown inFIG. 21. Since in the version identification information Iv shown inFIG. 21, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205is in version1, the identifying section1413decides that there exists an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in version1that is the same as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201. The identifying section1413then identifies the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205as the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8in the same version as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201.

At Step S43, the identifying section1413decides whether or not the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the version transmitted to the server104at Step S42shares information of a preference. In the present variation, the identifying section1413decides whether or not the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,205in version1share information of a preference between them. The identifying section1413makes the decision based on sharing apparatus identification information Id shown inFIG. 25. The sharing apparatus identification information Id is information for identifying ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in the same version among the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205that share information of a preference, and their version. The sharing apparatus identification information Id is stored in the server storage device142. The sharing apparatus identification information Id is an exemplary embodiment of the sharing apparatus identification information in the present invention.

In the sharing apparatus identification information Id in the present variation, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,205and their version, version1, are identified as the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses between which information of a preference is shared, and as their version. Therefore, it is decided that information of a preference is shared at Step S43. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201serving as the seventh ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL7corresponds to the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205serving as the eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8corresponds to the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5.

In the case that it is decided at Step S43that there exists an eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8in the same version, and information of a preference is shared therewith (“YES” at Step S43), the flow moves to the processing at Step S44. On the other hand, In the case that it is decided at Step S43that there exists no eighth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL8in the same version, or information of a preference is not shared (“NO” at Step S43), the processing is terminated. For example, assuming that the input at Step S41is performed at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus202, version2of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus202does not share information of a preference in the sharing apparatus identification information Id, so that it is decided that the information of the preference is not shared.

At Step S44, the server transmitting section1412transmits to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205the information on the image filter transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201. Next, at Step S45, the setting section852sets the image filter transmitted from the server104as the image filter to be used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205. The setting section852performs the setting of the image filter by storing the image filter's filter name and its mathematical function into the fifth storage device95.

Next, a second variation will be described. The system200in the second variation has a fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4, a fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5, a ninth medical image capture apparatus UL9, and a server104, as shown inFIG. 26. In the present variation, again, the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5are those of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205that are of the same kind and share at least some information.

For example, in the case that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201serves as the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus205serves as the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5. In the case that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus202serves as the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus204serves as the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,205are in version1, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses202,204are in version2. Therefore, the system200comprises a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds as the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL4, and at the same time, a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds as the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL5.

The ninth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL9is one of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,203,204,205that is of a kind different from that of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5. In the present variation, the ninth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL9is in a version different from those of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5. For example, in the case that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus201serves as the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses202,203,204serve as the ninth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL9. In the case that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus202serves as the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,203,205serve as the ninth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses UL9.

In the present variation, information which is shared between the fourth and fifth medical image capture apparatuses UL4and UL5, and the ninth medical image capture apparatus UL9will be referred to herein as first information. Moreover, information which is shared solely between the fourth medical image capture apparatus UL4and fifth medical image capture apparatus UL5will be referred to herein as second information.

The control device8and storage device9in the ninth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL9are designated herein as a ninth control device89and a ninth storage device99. The ninth control device89is an exemplary embodiment of the ninth control device in the present invention.

In the present variation, the server control device141in the server104has a deciding section1414, in addition to the server transmitting section1412and identifying section1413. The function of the deciding section1414is an exemplary embodiment of the deciding function in the present invention.

Now an operation of the second variation will be described based on the flow chart inFIG. 27. First, at Step S51, the fourth input device74in the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4accepts an operator's input of information. In the present variation, it is assumed that the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4is any one of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses201,202,204,205.

Assume that the information input in the present variation is any information A, B or C, which will be discussed later. Note that information A, B, C are merely exemplary, and the information in the present invention is not limited thereto.

Next, at Step S52, the fourth transmitting section841transmits to the server104via the network105the information input at Step S51. The fourth transmitting section841transmits the information to said server104along with information representing the version of the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4at which input has been performed at Step S51.

Next, at Step S53, the deciding section1414decides whether or not the information transmitted to the server104at Step S52matches the first information. The deciding section1414makes the decision based on the identification information Ii shown inFIG. 28.

The identification information Ii is stored in the server storage device142, and it identifies information A, B, C as the first information or the second information. Specifically, information A is information to be shared among ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in all versions, i.e., among the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL4, fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL5, and ninth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL9, which matches the first information.

On the other hand, information B, C each match the second information. Information B is information to be shared among all ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in the same version, i.e., among all the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL5. Information C is information to be shared among the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL5in version1. Therefore, information C is information to be shared among those of all the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL5that are in part of the versions.

Here, some information is compatible among ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds, such as the version, and can be harmlessly shared among them, and other information is harmful when it's shared across ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds because they have different values across them. For example, in some cases, values of preferences for image quality setting, which is one example of the information, are different across ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds; in other cases, information for performing measurement, which is other example of the information, is the same among ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds. The aforementioned first information is information that can be harmlessly shared among ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds. The aforementioned second information is information that is harmful when it is shared across ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of different kinds.

In the case that the information transmitted to the server104at Step S52matches the second information, the deciding section1414decides that it does not match the first information (“NO” at Step S53). In this case, the flow moves to the processing at Step S54. On the other hand, in the case that it is decided by the deciding section1414that the information transmitted to the server104at Step S52matches the first information (“YES” at Step S53), the flow moves to the processing at Step S55.

At Step S54, the deciding section1414decides whether or not there exists any ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the same version as that transmitted to the server104at Step S52based on the version identification information Iv (seeFIG. 21). The deciding section1414also decides whether or not the version and the information transmitted to the server104at Step S52are those to be shared among the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL5based on the identification information Ii. For example, the information transmitted at Step S52is information B or C and version information transmitted at Step S52is version1, the deciding section1414decides that they are the version and information to be shared. In the case that it is decided that the version and information are to be shared, and at the same time, it is decided that there exists an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the same version (“YES” at Step S54), the flow moves to the processing at Step S56.

On the other hand, in the case that there exists no ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the same version as that transmitted to the server104at Step S52or it is decided that the version and the information transmitted to the server104at Step S52are not a version and information to be shared among the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL4and fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL5(Step S54“NO” at), the processing is terminated. For example, assuming that information C is input at the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus202in version2at Step S51, it is decided by the deciding section1414that they are not a version and information to be shared.

Next, at Step S56, the server transmitting section1412transmits to the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5the information (second information) transmitted from the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4at Step S52. Next, at Step S57, the setting section852sets the information transmitted from the server104into the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5by storing it into the fifth storage device95.

In the case that it is decided in the processing at Step S53that the information transmitted to the server104at Step S52matches the first information, and the flow goes to the processing at Step S55, the server transmitting section1412transmits to the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5and ninth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL9at Step S55the information (first information) transmitted from the fourth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL4at Step S52. Next, at Step S58, the setting section852sets the information transmitted from the server104into the fifth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL5by storing it into the fifth storage device95. The setting section892also sets the information in transmitted from the server104into the ninth ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL9by storing it into the ninth storage device99.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be easily recognized that the present invention may be practiced with several modifications without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. While in the embodiments above the preference or the information is exemplified by the image filter, the preference or the information in the present invention may be another imaging condition. Moreover, the preference or the information in the present invention may be one other than imaging conditions.

Furthermore, while in the first embodiment the information of the preference input at the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1at Step S3is converted into information of the preference in the oldest one of the versions of the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus(es) UL2, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the information of the preference input at the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1at Step S3may be converted into different information (referred to hereinbelow as independent information) from that in the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. In this case, at Step S5, conversion from the independent information into information of the preference in the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2is performed, and the information after the conversion is set into the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. Moreover, information on conversion from information of a preference in the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1into independent information is stored in the server storage device142, and information on conversion from the independent information into information of a preference in the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2is stored in the second storage device92. The independent information is an exemplary embodiment of the third information in the present invention.