IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND PROGRAM

An image display apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes: a display controller that performs display control on a display screen included in a display section; and an operation acceptance section, in which in a case where the operation acceptance section accepts a first operation of moving an operation position inward from a part of an edge portion of a display screen in a state where a first display element is displayed on the display screen, the display controller displays a second display element having a first display size on the display screen, and resizes the second display element to a second display size in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-005176 filed on Jan. 17, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technological Field

The present disclosure relates to an image display apparatus, an image display method, and a program.

Description of the Related Art

As an example of an image display apparatus, an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject, accepts and processes its echo signal, and generates an ultrasonic image has been widespread.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-255165 discloses an image diagnostic apparatus which, when displaying an ultrasonic image and a menu relating to the ultrasonic image on a display section, accepts an input for designating a position on a display area of the display section and displays a menu associated in advance with the position designated by the input.

SUMMARY

In recent years, portable and small-sized ultrasonographic devices have been spreading. In a small-sized ultrasonographic device, the size of a display area included in a display section is often reduced. Therefore, it is difficult to display a plurality of display elements in the display area.

In the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-255165, a menu corresponding to a position specified by an input is displayed, and therefore, when the size of the display area becomes small, the ultrasonic image and the menu are displayed in an overlapping manner. Thus, a region of interest in an ultrasonic image that is necessary for performing a diagnosis is hidden by the menu and is less easily visible.

Furthermore, with the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-255165, a display position of a menu can be freely changed by an input operation for changing a position associated with each menu. However, since the display position itself of each menu displayed in the display area is not changed, an input operation for changing the display position of each menu is complicated.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an image display apparatus, an image display method, and a program capable of displaying each display element in a display area at an appropriate position by a simple operation.

To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, an image display apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure include: a display controller that performs display control on a display screen included in a display section; and an operation acceptance section, in which in a case where the operation acceptance section accepts a first operation of moving an operation position inward from a part of an edge portion of a display screen in a state where a first display element is displayed on the display screen, the display controller displays a second display element having a first display size on the display screen, and resizes the second display element to a second display size in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Configuration of Ultrasonographic Device1

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonographic device1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ultrasonographic device1is one example of the image display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the ultrasonographic device1includes an ultrasonographic device body10and an ultrasound probe P.

The ultrasound probe P transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject such as a living body (not illustrated) and accepts a reflection wave (reflection echo) of the ultrasonic wave reflected on the subject. The ultrasound probe P acquires a reception signal, which is an electrical signal, from the received reflected echo, and outputs the reception signal to the ultrasonographic device body10.

The ultrasonographic device body10is connected to the ultrasound probe P via a cable or the like. The ultrasonographic device body10transmits a transmission signal of an electric signal to the ultrasound probe P to cause the ultrasound probe P to transmit ultrasonic waves to the subject. Further, the ultrasonographic device body10images and displays the internal state of the subject as an ultrasonic image based on the reception signal received from the ultrasound probe P.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the ultrasonographic device body10includes a controller11, an ultrasound transceiver12, a signal processor13, an image generator14, a display section15, a storage section16, and an operation section17.

The controller11performs overall control of the ultrasonographic device1. The controller11is, for example, a processor having a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The controller11integrally controls the operation of the ultrasonographic device1by executing various processes in cooperation with various programs stored in the storage section16.

The ultrasound transceiver12supplies a transmission signal to the ultrasound probe P, and causes the ultrasound probe P to generate ultrasound. Further, the ultrasound transceiver12receives a reflected echo generated in the subject by the ultrasound probe P, generates a reception signal, and outputs the reception signal to the signal processor13.

The signal processor13electrically amplifies a reception electric signal obtained by converting the reception signal, performs signal processing such as digital conversion, and outputs the signal to the image generator14.

The image generator14generates an ultrasonic image (for example, a B-mode image) based on the digital reception signal output by the ultrasound transceiver12. The B-mode image represents the intensity of a reception signal by luminance. The ultrasonic image generated by the image generator14is stored in a frame memory or the like (not illustrated) in units of frame images. When the ultrasonic image is output from the image generator14, the controller11overwrites the frame memory or the like with the output ultrasonic image in units of frames and causes the display section15to display the image.

The display section15is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode-ray tube (CRT) display, an organic electronic luminescence (EL) display, or a plasma display. Under the control of a display controller111(seeFIG.2) described later, the display section15displays various screens in the display area. Details of the various screens will be described later.

The storage section16is constituted by, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor nonvolatile memory. The storage section16stores various programs and data necessary for execution of the programs.

Further, the storage section16may store information on a subject (patient) to be diagnosed based on an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonographic device1. Furthermore, the storage section16may store information on various display objects (details will be described later) such as a body mark, a measurement result, and an annotation to be displayed on the display section15.

The operation section17is an operation device such as various switches, function buttons, a trackball, a mouse, and a keyboard. In this exemplary embodiment, the operation section17includes, in particular, a touch pad disposed so as to overlap a display device constituting the display section15. That is, the display section15and the operation section17form a so-called touch panel. Thus, the operation section17can receive a user's intuitive operation corresponding to the display content of the screen displayed on the display section15. The operation section17outputs a generated operation signal to the controller11based on an operation by a user of the ultrasonographic device1.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating functional blocks included in the controller11. As illustrated inFIG.2, the controller11includes a display controller111and an operation acceptance section112.

The display controller111generates a screen to be displayed on the display section15based on the ultrasonic image or the like generated by the image generator14. Examples of the screen that the display controller111causes the display section15to display include a diagnostic screen on which an ultrasonic image continues to be updated so that the latest ultrasonic image is always displayed and a still image screen on which an ultrasonic image at a certain time point continues to be displayed and on which the size or the like of a structure included in the ultrasonic image can be measured.

When an examination on a certain subject (a patient or the like) is performed using the ultrasonographic device1, a user such as a doctor appropriately performs diagnosis while viewing a diagnosis screen on which a real-time ultrasonic image based on an ultrasonic signal obtained from the subject is displayed. When the user wants to measure the size of a structure (an organ, a fetus, or the like) in the subject during diagnosis, the user can measure the size of the structure by stopping the display screen of the display section15and designating two points on the ultrasonic image.

The operation acceptance section112accepts a user operation via the operation section17.

Display Aspect

Hereinafter, a display mode of the display section15in the ultrasonographic device1having the above-described configuration will be described.

FIG.3is a view illustrating a basic screen200displayed on the display section15of the ultrasonographic device1. As illustrated inFIG.3, the basic screen200includes, as display elements, an ultrasonic image display field201, an identification information display field202, and a switching button203. The basic screen200is the most basic screen among a plurality of types of display screens displayed on the display section15. For example, when performing a medical examination on the subject, the user performs the medical examination in a state where the basic screen200is displayed on the display section15.

The ultrasonic image display field201is an example of a first display element of the present disclosure.

The ultrasonic image display field201is a field for displaying an ultrasonic image generated by the image generator14based on reflected waves from the subject with respect to transmission waves transmitted from the ultrasound probe P. The ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201is a moving image updated at a predetermined cycle or a still image in which an image at a certain timing is continuously displayed. The ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201is switched between a moving image and a still image based on the operation of the switching button203by the user.

In a case where the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201is a moving image, a change in the position of the ultrasound probe P or a movement (a heartbeat, a fetal movement, or the like) of a structure inside the subject is reflected in the ultrasonic image as needed, and the user can thus perform diagnosis based on the latest image. On the other hand, in a case where the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201is a still image, a structure appearing in the image is stationary, and the user can examine a specific structure or the like in detail.

The identification information display field202is a field in which information capable of identifying the subject corresponding to the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201is displayed. In the example illustrated inFIG.3, the identification number of the subject is displayed in the identification information display field202, but the information displayed in the identification information display field202may be other information, for example, a patient name.

The switching button203is an operation button for receiving an operation of switching the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201between a moving image and a still image. For example, each time the user operates the switching button203through the operation section17, the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201is switched from a moving image to a still image or from a still image to a moving image.

In the example illustrated inFIG.3, the display section15has a vertically long screen, and on the basic screen200, an identification information display field202is displayed at the uppermost part of the screen, an ultrasonic image display field201is disposed below the identification information display field202, and a switching button203is disposed below the ultrasonic image display field201. Note that the display position of each display element illustrated inFIG.3is an example, and each display element may be displayed at another position.

In the basic screen200, the display size of the ultrasonic image display field201is set to an appropriate size. The appropriate size is, for example, a size designated by the user so that the display content of the ultrasonic image display field201is easily visually recognized, or a size set by the display controller111in accordance with the size of the entire screen of the display section15.

In the basic screen200illustrated inFIG.3, supplementary information related to the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201is not displayed. Accordingly, even in a case in which the display section15has a relatively small size, the display size of the ultrasonic image display field201can be increased as much as possible. The supplementary information will be described later.

When the operation acceptance section112accepts an operation for moving the operation position from a part of an edge portion of the screen of the display section15toward the inside of the screen in a state where the basic screen200is displayed on the display section15, the display controller111allows a first supplementary information display screen300illustrated inFIG.5to be displayed. Note that the operation position is a position specified by a user's operation, and specifically, a position at which a user's finger contacts a touch panel composed of the display section15and the operation section17. Hereinafter, an operation for moving the operation position from part of an edge portion of the screen of the display section15toward the inside of the screen will be described as a first operation.

FIG.4is a diagram schematically illustrating the first operation.FIG.5is a diagram illustrating the first supplementary information display screen300.

FIG.4illustrates a state in which a user moves a finger F from part of an edge portion of the screen of the display section15toward the inside of the screen while keeping the finger F in contact with the touch panel that is the operation section17and then releases the finger F. Such an operation of moving the finger from one place to another place and then releasing the finger from the touch panel is generally referred to as a drag operation. That is, the first operation illustrated inFIG.4is a drag operation from a part of the edge portion toward the inside of the screen.

Note that in the example illustrated inFIG.4, the first operation is a drag operation in which a user moves a finger F with respect to the touch panel serving as the operation section17from part of an edge portion of the screen toward the inside of the screen, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the user may perform the first operation using another operation tool, such as a touch pen, instead of a finger. Furthermore, even in a case where the operation section17is a mouse, a drag operation is possible, and a user may perform the first operation using the mouse. Further, for example, the same applies to a case where the operation section17includes a trackball for moving the operation position and a button for designating the operation position. Specifically, first operation may also be accepted when the user presses the button to designate the operation position on a part of the edge portion of the screen and then moves the operation position using the trackball in a state where the button is pressed.

In the example illustrated inFIG.4, the part of the edge portion which is the start position of the first operation is the left end of the screen of the display section15, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The start position of the first operation may be any position of the edge portion. In addition, in the first operation, the inside of the screen is, for example, a position separated from all edge portions of the screen of the display section15by a distance equal to or greater than a predetermined distance.

Upon receiving the first operation illustrated inFIG.4, the ultrasonographic device1switches the screen displayed on the display section15from the basic screen200to the first supplementary information display screen300illustrated inFIG.5. The first supplementary information display screen300illustrated inFIG.5includes an ultrasonic image display field301, an identification information display field302, and a supplementary information display field303.

The ultrasonic image display field301is an example of a first display element of the present disclosure. The supplementary information display field303is an example of a second display element of the present disclosure.

The supplementary information display field303is a field for displaying supplementary information on the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field301. The supplementary information includes information related to the ultrasonic image, information related to the subject of the ultrasonic image, or the like. Specific examples of the supplementary information include a body mark, an annotation, measurement information, patient information, and an image parameter. The body mark is a mark indicating which position of the subject the ultrasound probe P that transmits ultrasound waves is making contact with. The annotation is a character string indicating the content or the like of the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201. The measurement information is information indicating an actual distance between two points designated by the user in the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201. The patient information is information excluding the information displayed in the identification information display field302from the information on the subject (patient). The image parameter is information including parameters of the ultrasonic image to be displayed in the ultrasonic image display field201, that is, various parameters such as luminance, brightness, and contrast.

On the first supplementary information display screen300illustrated inFIG.5, a body mark is displayed in the supplementary information display field303. In the example illustrated inFIG.5, only the body mark is displayed in the supplementary information display field303, but in the present disclosure, one or more types of supplementary information other than the body mark may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303.

On the first supplementary information display screen300illustrated inFIG.5, an ultrasonic image display field301and a supplementary information display field303are displayed vertically side by side. In the following description, the display size of the supplementary information display field303in the first supplementary information display screen300is referred to as a first display size. In the example illustrated inFIG.5, the first display size is a size equal to or larger than the display size of the ultrasonic image display field301. Accordingly, the user can easily visually recognize the display content of the supplementary information display field303.

Since the display size of the supplementary information display field303is set to a size equal to or larger than that of the ultrasonic image display field301, in the example illustrated inFIG.5, a part of the ultrasonic image display field301is covered with the supplementary information display field303. Furthermore, although not illustrated inFIG.5, a switching button equivalent to the switching button203on the basic screen200illustrated inFIG.4may also be in a state of being covered with the supplementary information display field303.

The supplementary information displayed in the supplementary information display field303is, for example, supplementary information specified in advance by the user. Alternatively, for example, the type of supplementary information displayed in the supplementary information display field303may be changed according to the start position of the first operation.

In specific examples, in a case where the display section15has a rectangular display screen, a body mark may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303when the left side of the four edge portions is the start position, an annotation may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303when the right side is the start position, measurement information may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303when the upper side is the start position, and patient information may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303when the lower side is the start position. In addition, for example, in a case where the start position is the left or right edge portion, supplementary information different between the upper half and the lower half may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303. In a case where the start position is the upper or lower edge portion, supplementary information different between the left half and the right half may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303.

Alternatively, for example, the type of supplementary information displayed in the supplementary information display field303may be changed based on whether the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field301is a moving image or a still image. In a specific example, when the first operation is accepted in a state where the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field301is a moving image, a body mark may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303, and when the first operation is accepted in a state where the ultrasonic image is a still image, an annotation may be displayed in the supplementary information display field303.

In the first supplementary information display screen300, when the supplementary information display field303is displayed so as to overlap a part of the ultrasonic image display field301, display may be such that the region of interest of the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field301does not overlap the supplementary information display field303. The region of interest in the ultrasonic image may be designated by the user via the operation section17, or may be derived based on a known image analysis technique, for example.

As described above, since the supplementary information display field303is displayed in the first display size which is relatively large on the first supplementary information display screen300, the user can easily visually recognize the display content of the supplementary information display field303. However, by displaying the supplementary information display field303in the first display size, the space for displaying the entire ultrasonic image display field301in the display screen of the display section15becomes insufficient, and the supplementary information display field303is displayed to overlap a part of the ultrasonic image display field301. In this state, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the entire ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field301.

In order to improve this state, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a state in which the first supplementary information display screen300is displayed on the display section15, the display controller111causes the display content of the display section15to transition to a second supplementary information display screen400exemplified inFIG.6.

FIG.6is an illustration of a second supplementary information display screen400. As illustrated in FIG.6, the second supplementary information display screen400includes an ultrasonic image display field301, an identification information display field402, a supplementary information display field403, and a switching button404.

The ultrasonic image display field401is an example of a first display element of the present disclosure. The supplementary information display field403is an example of a second display element of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG.6, on the second supplementary information display screen400, the display size of the supplementary information display field403is smaller than the supplementary information display field303illustrated inFIG.5. In the following description, the display size of the supplementary information display field403in the second supplementary information display screen400is referred to as a second display size. The second display size is a size smaller than the first display size.

The second display size is, for example, a size allowing the user to visually recognize the display content of the supplementary information display field403and allowing the supplementary information display field403to be displayed without overlap with the ultrasonic image display field401. In this way, on the second supplementary information display screen400, the supplementary information display field403is displayed in the second display size such that the supplementary information display field does not overlap the ultrasonic image display field401. Thus, the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field401is more easily visually recognized on the second supplementary information display screen400than on the first supplementary information display screen300. Therefore, even in a case in which the size of the display area of the display section15is relatively small, the user can check the supplementary information and perform diagnosis using the ultrasonic image at the same time on the second supplementary information display screen400. In addition, since the switching button404for switching the ultrasonic image between the moving and static images is not covered with the supplementary information display field403and can be visually recognized, the user can perform a switching operation of switching between the moving and static images.

As the predetermined condition for transition from the first supplementary information display screen300to the second supplementary information display screen400, for example, the following condition can be set.

The first condition is that a predetermined time elapses after the transition from the basic screen200to the first supplementary information display screen300. In a case where the first condition is adopted, the display controller111determines that the first condition is satisfied when a predetermined time elapses after the transition from the basic screen200to the first supplementary information display screen300by the first operation of the user, in other words, after the time point when the display of the first supplementary information display screen300is started. The predetermined time is, for example, 10 seconds.

The second condition is that the user performs a second operation for confirming the state in which the supplementary information is displayed on the screen. The second operation is, for example, an operation of dragging and moving the supplementary information display field303to a part of the edge portion of the screen on the first supplementary information display screen300.

FIG.7is a diagram schematically illustrating a second operation for switching from the first supplementary information display screen300to the second supplementary information display screen400. As illustrated inFIG.7, in the second operation, the finger of the user drags and moves the supplementary information display field303on the first supplementary information display screen300. The second operation is an operation in which the movement destination of the operation position by the drag operation is the edge portion of the screen. In other words, the second operation is an operation of dragging and moving the supplementary information display field303displayed on the screen of the display section15to the outside of the screen. When such a second condition is adopted, the display controller111determines that the second condition is satisfied when the operation acceptance section112accepts the second operation.

As described above, in the ultrasonographic device1of the present disclosure, after the screen display of the display section15is transitioned from the basic screen200to the first supplementary information display screen300based on the first operation, the screen display is further transitioned to the second supplementary information display screen400when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Accordingly, when the user wants to check the supplementary information on the basic screen200on which the supplementary information is not displayed, the supplementary information can be displayed in a relatively large display size by a simple operation (first operation).

Thus, the user can easily visually recognize the supplementary information even though the size of the display area of the display section15is relatively small. Further, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the first supplementary information display screen300, the screen transitions to the second supplementary information display screen400in which the supplementary information display field403is reduced and displayed so as not to overlap the ultrasonic image display field401and the switching button404. Therefore, even when the size of the display area of the display section15is relatively small, the user can perform diagnosis using the ultrasonic image while checking the supplementary information.

Modification Examples of Display Aspect

In the above description, the supplementary information display field303is displayed in the relatively large first display size on the first supplementary information display screen300, and the ultrasonic image display field301and the supplementary information display field303are displayed side by side in a state where a part of the ultrasonic image display field301is covered with the supplementary information display field303. Such a display aspect is merely an example of the present disclosure, and other display aspects can be applied for the first supplementary information display screen in the present disclosure. Hereinafter, a modification example of the display aspect of the first supplementary information display screen of the present disclosure will be described.

FIRST MODIFICATION

FIG.8is a diagram for explaining a first modification of the first supplementary information display screen. The first supplementary information display screen500illustrated inFIG.8includes an ultrasonic image display field501, an identification information display field502, and a supplementary information display field503. In the first modification example illustrated inFIG.8, a body mark is displayed in the supplementary information display field503similarly to the supplementary information display field303of the first supplementary information display screen300illustrated inFIG.5, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and other types of supplementary information may be displayed.

In the first modification example illustrated inFIG.8, the supplementary information display field503is displayed in a transparent manner. Therefore, although the ultrasonic image display field501and the supplementary information display field503are displayed so as to partially overlap each other, the user can view both the ultrasonic image displayed in the ultrasonic image display field501and the supplementary information displayed in the supplementary information display field503.

Similarly to the above description, the first supplementary information display screen500illustrated inFIG.8transitions to the second supplementary information display screen400illustrated inFIG.6when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the entire ultrasonic image of the ultrasonic image display field501displayed so as to overlap the supplementary information display field503on the second supplementary information display screen400.

SECOND MODIFICATION

FIG.9is a diagram for explaining a second modification of the first supplementary information display screen. In the first supplementary information display screen300illustrated inFIG.5, a body mark is displayed as an example of supplementary information in the supplementary information display field303, but inFIG.9, a first supplementary information display screen600in which measurement information is displayed in the supplementary information display field603is illustrated. In the example illustrated inFIG.9, the supplementary information display field603is displayed so as to overlap the ultrasonic image display field601and the switching button604. In this case, in a second supplementary information display screen (not illustrated) to which a transition is made when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a state where the first supplementary information display screen600is displayed, measurement information is also displayed in the supplementary information display field. As described above, the ultrasonographic device1of the present disclosure can display various types of supplementary information in the display field of each screen in an appropriate display size.

THIRD MODIFICATION

FIG.10is a diagram for explaining a third modification of the first supplementary information display screen. On the first supplementary information display screen700of the third modification example, the ultrasonic image display field701is reduced and displayed so as not to overlap the supplementary information display field703of the first display size. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the entire ultrasonic image on the first supplementary information display screen700.

Also in the first supplementary information display screen700illustrated inFIG.10, similarly to the above description, transition to the second supplementary information display screen400illustrated inFIG.6is made in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied. Accordingly, since the display size of the ultrasonic image display field701returns to the same size as the display size on the basic screen200, the user can perform diagnosis using the ultrasonic image while checking the supplementary information.

EXEMPLARY OPERATION

An example of operation of the ultrasonographic device1will be described below.FIG.11is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the ultrasonographic device1.

In step S1, the controller11of the ultrasonographic device1generates an ultrasonic image based on a user's operation or the like. The user's operation in step S1is, for example, an image generation start operation via the operation section17or to press a button for starting ultrasonic image generation that is disposed on the ultrasound probe P.

In step S2, the controller11causes the display section15to display the basic screen200illustrated inFIG.3using the ultrasonic image generated in step S1.

In step S3, the controller11determines whether or not the first operation is performed on the operation section17. As described above, the first operation is an operation of moving the operation position from a part of the edge portion of the screen to the inside of the screen in a state where the basic screen200is displayed.

When it is determined in step S3that the first operation has been performed (step S3: YES), the controller11allows the operation to proceed to step S4, or otherwise (step S3: NO), the operation of step S3is repeated.

In step S4, the controller11causes the display section15to display the first supplementary information display screen300illustrated inFIG.5.

In step S5, the controller11determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. As described above, the predetermined condition is either that a predetermined time elapses after the first supplementary information display screen300is displayed or that the second operation is performed on the operation section17. As described above, the second operation is an operation of dragging and moving the supplementary information display field303on the first supplementary information display screen300to a part of the edge portion of the screen.

When it is determined in step S5that the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S5: YES), the controller11allows the operation to proceed to step S6, or otherwise (step S5: NO), the operation of step S5is repeated.

In step S6, the controller11causes the display section15to display the second supplementary information display screen400illustrated inFIG.6.

According to the above operation example, the ultrasonographic device1can cause the display to transition to the first supplementary information display screen300including the supplementary information display field303in which the supplementary information is displayed in the relatively large first display size by the simple and intuitive first operation on the basic screen200in which the supplementary information is not displayed. Thus, even when the size of the display area of the display section15is relatively small, the user can quickly check the supplementary information on the ultrasonic image displayed on the basic screen200.

In the first supplementary information display screen300, a part of the ultrasonic image display field301is covered with the supplementary information display field303. However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a state where the first supplementary information display screen300is displayed, the display can be transitioned to the second supplementary information display screen400in which the entire ultrasonic image display field401is displayed without being covered with the supplementary information display field403. Therefore, even in a case in which the size of the display area of the display section15is relatively small, the user can perform diagnosis by viewing the entire ultrasonic image while checking the supplementary information.

The present disclosure can be applied to an image display apparatus that displays a medical image.