Patent Publication Number: US-10768797-B2

Title: Method, apparatus, and system for generating body marker indicating object

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0180499, filed on Dec. 15, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One or more exemplary embodiments relate to a method, an apparatus, and a system for generating a body marker indicating an object. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses transmit ultrasound signals generated by transducers of a probe to an object and receive echo signals reflected from the object, thereby obtaining at least one image of an internal part of the object (e.g., soft tissues or blood flow). In particular, ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses are used for medical purposes including observation of the interior of an object, detection of foreign substances, and diagnosis of damage to the object. Such ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses provide high stability, display images in real time, and are safe due to the lack of radioactive exposure, compared to X-ray apparatuses. Therefore, ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses are widely used together with other image diagnosis apparatuses including a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, and the like. 
     In general, a body marker is added to an ultrasound image when a user selects one of pre-generated body markers. However, it may be difficult to accurately determine a shape or an orientation of an object shown in the ultrasound image based on the body marker shown in the ultrasound image. Also, it may require a large amount of time for the user to select one of the pre-generated body markers. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more exemplary embodiments include a method, an apparatus, and a system for generating a body marker indicating an object. Also, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program, which, when executed by a computer, performs the method. 
     Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of generating a body marker includes selecting a first body marker from among a plurality of prestored body markers based on an object shown in a medical image, generating a second body marker by modifying the first body marker according to a user input, and displaying the second body marker. 
     The second body marker may include a body marker generated by flipping the first body marker about a vertical axis. 
     The second body marker may include a body marker generated by rotating the first body marker about a central axis of the first body marker. 
     The second body marker may include a body marker generated by rotating the first body marker in a clockwise direction. 
     The second body marker may include a body marker generated by rotating the first body marker in a counterclockwise direction. 
     The selecting may include receiving a user input for selecting the first body marker that corresponds to the object from among a plurality of prestored body markers, and selecting the first body marker based on the received user input. 
     The selecting may include selecting a portion of the object shown in the medical image, and selecting the first body marker based on the selected portion of the object. 
     The plurality of prestored body markers may be sorted into application groups. 
     The first body marker and the second body marker may be 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional. 
     The user input may include a user gesture input on a touch screen. 
     The displaying may include displaying the first and second body markers on a single screen. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program, which, when executed by a computer, performs the method above. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an apparatus for generating a body marker includes a display displaying a medical image showing an object, and a controller selecting a first body marker from among a plurality of prestored body markers based on the object, and generating a second body marker by modifying a shape of the first body marker according to a user input. The display displays the second body marker. 
     The second body marker may include a body marker generated by flipping the first body marker about a vertical axis. 
     The second body marker may include a body marker generated by flipping the first body marker about a horizontal axis. 
     The second body marker may include a body marker generated by rotating the first body marker in a clockwise direction. 
     The second body marker may include a body marker generated by rotating the first body marker in a counterclockwise direction. 
     The apparatus may further include an input unit receiving a user input for selecting the first body marker that corresponds to the object from among a plurality of prestored body markers, and the controller may select the first body marker based on the received user input. 
     The apparatus may further include an image processor selecting a portion of the object from the medical image, and the controller may select the first body marker based on the selected portion of the object. 
     The plurality of prestored body markers may be sorted into application groups. 
     The first body marker and the second body marker may be 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional. 
     The user input may include a user gesture input on a touch screen. 
     The display may display the first and second body markers on a single screen. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals denote structural elements. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are diagrams illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a wireless probe according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for generating a body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  are diagrams illustrating a first body marker according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a second body marker according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are diagrams illustrating images used for generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are diagrams illustrating an example of a controller generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are diagrams illustrating another example of a controller generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 10A to 10D  are diagrams illustrating another example of a controller generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams illustrating another example of a controller generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are diagrams illustrating another example of a controller generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  are diagrams illustrating another example of a controller generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are diagrams illustrating another example of a controller generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for generating a body marker, according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  are diagrams illustrating an example of an input unit receiving a user input for selecting a first body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for generating a body marker, according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  are diagrams illustrating an example of an image processor selecting a portion of an object from a medical image, according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating a body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The terms used in this specification are those general terms currently widely used in the art in consideration of functions regarding the inventive concept, but the terms may vary according to the intention of those of ordinary skill in the art, precedents, or new technology in the art. Also, some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in the detailed description of the present specification. Thus, the terms used in the specification should be understood not as simple names but based on the meaning of the terms and the overall description of the inventive concept. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. 
     Throughout the specification, it will also be understood that when a component “includes” an element, unless there is another opposite description thereto, it should be understood that the component does not exclude another element and may further include another element. In addition, terms such as “ . . . unit,” “ . . . module,” or the like refer to units that perform at least one function or operation, and the units may be implemented as hardware or software or as a combination of hardware and software. 
     Throughout the specification, an “ultrasound image” refers to an image of an object or an image of a region of interest included in the object, which is obtained using ultrasound waves. The region of interest is a region in the object which a user wants to focus on, for example, a lesion. Furthermore, an “object” may be a human, an animal, or a part of a human or animal. For example, the object may be an organ (e.g., the liver, heart, womb, brain, breast, or abdomen), a blood vessel, or a combination thereof. Also, the object may be a phantom. The phantom means a material having a density, an effective atomic number, and a volume that are approximately the same as those of an organism. For example, the phantom may be a spherical phantom having properties similar to a human body. 
     Throughout the specification, a “user” may be, but is not limited to, a medical expert, for example, a medical doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratory technologist, or a medical imaging expert, or a technician who repairs medical apparatuses. 
     Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are diagrams illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis system  1000  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a probe  20  may be wired to an ultrasound imaging device  100  in the ultrasound diagnosis system  1000 . In other words, the probe  20 , which transmits and receives ultrasound, may be connected to a main body of the ultrasound diagnosis system  1000 , i.e., the ultrasound image device  100 , via a cable  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , the probe  20  may be wirelessly connected to the ultrasound imaging device  100  in an ultrasound diagnosis system  1001 . In other words, the probe  20  and the ultrasound imaging device  100  may be connected via a wireless network. For example, the probe  20  may be connected to the ultrasound imaging device  100  via a millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless network, receive an echo signal via a transducer, and transmit the echo signal in a 60 GHz frequency range to the ultrasound imaging device  100 . Also, the ultrasound imaging device  100  may generate an ultrasound image of various modes by using the echo signal received in the 60 GHz frequency range, and display the generated ultrasound image. The millimeter wave wireless network may use, but is not limited to, a wireless communication method according to the Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig) standard. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis system  1002  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the ultrasound diagnosis system  1002  may include a probe  20  and an ultrasound imaging device  100 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the ultrasound imaging device  100  may include an ultrasound transceiver  1100 , an image processor  1200 , a communication module  1300 , a display  1400 , a memory  1500 , an input unit  1600 , and a controller  1700 , which may be connected to one another via buses  1800 . 
     The ultrasound imaging device  1002  may be a cart type apparatus or a portable type apparatus. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) viewer, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a tablet PC. 
     The probe  20  may transmit ultrasound waves to an object  10  (or, a region of interest in the object  10 ) in response to a driving signal applied by the ultrasound transceiver  1100  and receives echo signals reflected by the object  10  (or, the region of interest in the object  10 ). The probe  20  includes a plurality of transducers, and the plurality of transducers oscillate in response to electric signals and generate acoustic energy, that is, ultrasound waves. Furthermore, the probe  20  may be wired or wirelessly connected to a main body of the ultrasound diagnosis system  1002 , and the ultrasound diagnosis system  1002  may include a plurality of probes  20 . 
     A transmitter  1110  supplies a driving signal to the probe  20 . The transmitter  110  includes a pulse generator  1112 , a transmission delaying unit  1114 , and a pulser  1116 . The pulse generator  1112  generates pulses for forming transmission ultrasound waves based on a predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and the transmission delaying unit  1114  delays the pulses by delay times necessary for determining transmission directionality. The pulses which have been delayed correspond to a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe  20 , respectively. The pulser  1116  applies a driving signal (or a driving pulse) to the probe  20  based on timing corresponding to each of the pulses which have been delayed. 
     A receiver  1120  generates ultrasound data by processing echo signals received from the probe  20 . The receiver  120  may include an amplifier  1122 , an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  1124 , a reception delaying unit  1126 , and a summing unit  1128 . The amplifier  1122  amplifies echo signals in each channel, and the ADC  1124  performs analog-to-digital conversion with respect to the amplified echo signals. The reception delaying unit  1126  delays digital echo signals output by the ADC  124  by delay times necessary for determining reception directionality, and the summing unit  1128  generates ultrasound data by summing the echo signals processed by the reception delaying unit  1166 . In some embodiments, the receiver  1120  may not include the amplifier  1122 . In other words, if the sensitivity of the probe  20  or the capability of the ADC  1124  to process bits is enhanced, the amplifier  1122  may be omitted. 
     The image processor  1200  generates an ultrasound image by scan-converting ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound transceiver  1100 . The ultrasound image may be not only a grayscale ultrasound image obtained by scanning the object  10  in an amplitude (A) mode, a brightness (B) mode, and a motion (M) mode, but also a Doppler image showing a movement of the object  10  via a Doppler effect. The Doppler image may be a blood flow Doppler image showing flow of blood (also referred to as a color Doppler image), a tissue Doppler image showing a movement of tissue, or a spectral Doppler image showing a moving speed of the object  10  as a waveform. 
     A B mode processor  1212  extracts B mode components from ultrasound data and processes the B mode components. An image generator  1220  may generate an ultrasound image indicating signal intensities as brightness based on the extracted B mode components  1212 . 
     Similarly, a Doppler processor  1214  may extract Doppler components from ultrasound data, and the image generator  1220  may generate a Doppler image indicating a movement of the object  10  as colors or waveforms based on the extracted Doppler components. 
     According to an embodiment, the image generator  1220  may generate a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image via volume-rendering with respect to volume data and may also generate an elasticity image by imaging deformation of the object  10  due to pressure. Furthermore, the image generator  1220  may display various pieces of additional information in an ultrasound image by using text and graphics. In addition, the generated ultrasound image may be stored in the memory  1500 . 
     Also, the image processor  1200  may select a portion of the object  10  shown in the ultrasound image. 
     The display  1400  displays the generated ultrasound image. The display  1400  may display not only an ultrasound image, but also various pieces of information processed by the ultrasound imaging device  1002  on a screen image via a graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, the ultrasound imaging device  100  may include two or more display  1400  according to embodiments. 
     Also, the display  1400  may display at least one body marker from among the body markers stored in the memory  1500 , and the display  1400  may display a second body marker that is generated according to a user input. 
     The communication module  1300  is wired or wirelessly connected to a network  30  to communicate with an external device or a server. Also, when the probe  20  is connected to the ultrasound imaging device  100  via a wireless network, the communication module  1300  may communicate with the probe  20 . 
     The communication module  1300  may exchange data with a hospital server or another medical apparatus in a hospital, which is connected thereto via a PACS. Furthermore, the communication module  1300  may perform data communication according to the digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) standard. 
     The communication module  1300  may transmit or receive data related to diagnosis of the object  10 , e.g., an ultrasound image, ultrasound data, and Doppler data of the object  10 , via the network  30  and may also transmit or receive medical images captured by another medical apparatus, e.g., a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, or an X-ray apparatus. Furthermore, the communication module  1300  may receive information about a diagnosis history or medical treatment schedule of a patient from a server and utilizes the received information to diagnose the patient. Furthermore, the communication module  1300  may perform data communication not only with a server or a medical apparatus in a hospital, but also with a portable terminal of a medical doctor or patient. 
     The communication module  1300  is wired to the network  30  or connected wirelessly to exchange data with a server  32 , a medical apparatus  34 , or a portable terminal  36 . The communication module  1300  may include one or more components for communication with external devices. For example, the communication module  1300  may include a local area communication module  1310 , a wired communication module  1320 , and a mobile communication module  1330 . 
     The local area communication module  1310  refers to a module for local area communication within a predetermined distance. Examples of local area communication techniques according to an embodiment may include, but are not limited to, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared data association (IrDA), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and near field communication (NFC). 
     The wired communication module  1320  refers to a module for communication using electric signals or optical signals. Examples of wired communication techniques according to an embodiment may include communication via a twisted pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, and an Ethernet cable. 
     The mobile communication module  1330  transmits or receives wireless signals to or from at least one selected from a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signals may be voice call signals, video call signals, or various types of data for transmission and reception of text/multimedia messages. 
     The memory  1500  stores various data processed by the ultrasound imaging device  1000 . For example, the memory  1500  may store medical data related to diagnosis of the object  10 , such as ultrasound data and an ultrasound image that are input or output, and may also store algorithms or programs which are to be executed in the ultrasound imaging device  1002 . 
     Also, the memory  1500  may store pre-generated body markers and a body marker generated by the controller  1700 . 
     The memory  1500  may be any of various storage media, e.g., a flash memory, a hard disk drive, EEPROM, etc. Furthermore, the ultrasound imaging device  1002  may utilize web storage or a cloud server that performs the storage function of the memory  1500  online. 
     The input unit  1600  refers to a unit via which a user may input data for controlling the ultrasound imaging device  1002 . The input unit  1600  may include hardware components, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a touch screen, and a jog switch, and a software module for driving the hardware components. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the input unit  1600  may further include any of various input units including an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring module, a respiration measuring module, a voice recognition sensor, a gesture recognition sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a depth sensor, a distance sensor, etc. 
     Also, the input unit  1600  may receive a user input for selecting a first body marker from among the body markers stored in the memory  1500 . 
     The controller  1700  may control all operations of the ultrasound imaging device  1000 . In other words, the controller  1700  may control operations among the probe  20 , the ultrasound transceiver  1100 , the image processor  1200 , the communication module  1300 , the display  1400 , the memory  1500 , and the input unit  1600  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The controller  1700  according to an exemplary embodiment may select a first body marker from among prestored body markers based on the object  10 . The prestored body markers are the body markers that are preset and stored in the memory  1500 , regardless of a shape or a location of the object  10  shown on the ultrasound image. 
     Also, the controller  1700  may generate a second body marker by reshaping or modifying an orientation of the first body marker according to a user input. The user input is input via the input unit  1600 , and includes a gesture performed by the user, for example, tapping, touch and hold, double tapping, dragging, panning, flicking, drag and drop, pinching, and stretching. 
     For example, a first body marker may be selected from the body markers stored in the memory  1500  according to a user input received by the input unit  1600 . An example of the first body marker being selected according to the user input will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 15, 16A, and 16B . As another example, a first body marker may be selected from the body markers stored in the memory  1500  based on a portion of the object  10  selected from the ultrasound image by the image processor  1200 . An example of the first body marker being selected based on the portion of the object  10  selected from the ultrasound image will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 17, 18A, and 18B . 
     All or some of the probe  20 , the ultrasound transceiver  1100 , the image processor  1200 , the communication module  1300 , the display  1400 , the memory  1500 , the input unit  1600 , and the controller  1700  may be implemented as software modules. Furthermore, at least one selected from the ultrasound transceiver  1100 , the image processor  1200 , and the communication module  1300  may be included in the controller  1700 . However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a wireless probe  2000  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     As described above with reference to  FIG. 3 , the wireless probe  2000  may include a plurality of transducers, and, according to embodiments, may include some or all of the components of the ultrasound transceiver  1100  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The wireless probe  2000  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  includes a transmitter  2100 , a transducer  2200 , and a receiver  2300 . Since descriptions thereof are given above with reference to  FIG. 2 , detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted here. In addition, according to embodiments, the wireless probe  2000  may selectively include a reception delaying unit  2330  and a summing unit  2340 . 
     The wireless probe  2000  may transmit ultrasound signals to the object  10 , receive echo signals from the object  10 , generate ultrasound data, and wirelessly transmit the ultrasound data to the ultrasound diagnosis system  1002  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus  101  for generating a body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the apparatus  101  may include a controller  1701  and a display  1401 . One or both of the controller  1701  and the display  1401  may be implemented as software modules, but are not limited thereto. One of the controller  1701  and the display  1401  may be implemented as hardware. Also, the display  1401  may include an independent control module. 
     Also, the controller  1701  may be the same as the controller  1700  of  FIG. 2 , and the display  1401  may be the same as the display  1400  of  FIG. 2 . If the apparatus  101  is a component included in an ultrasound imaging device, then, in addition to the controller  1701  and the display  1401 , the apparatus  101  may further include the ultrasound transceiver  1100 , the image processor  1200 , the communication module  1300 , the memory  1500 , and the input unit  1600  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The controller  1701  may select a first body marker from prestored body markers based on an object shown in a medical image. The body markers may be stored in a memory (not shown) of the apparatus  101 . 
     A body marker refers to a figure added to a medical image (e.g., an ultrasound image) so that a viewer of the medical image (e.g., a user) may easily recognize an object shown in the medical image. 
     The first body marker according to an exemplary embodiment refers to a body marker that is pre-generated and stored in the apparatus  101 . That is, the first body marker refers to a body marker generated in advance by a manufacturer of the user, regardless of information of a current shape or location of the object shown in the medical image. 
     Since the first body marker does not reflect the current shape or the location of the object, when the first body marker is added to the medical image, the viewer of the medical image may be unable to accurately recognize the shape, position, or orientation of the object. Also, since the first body marker is selected from the prestored body markers, a large amount of time may be required for a user to select an appropriate body marker for the object. Hereinafter, the first body marker will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 5C . 
       FIGS. 5A to 5C  are diagrams illustrating a first body marker according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , a screen  3110  displays an example of prestored body markers  3120 . The controller  1701  may select a first body marker from any one of the body markers  3120  based on an object shown in a medical image. 
     The body markers  3120  may be sorted into application groups  3130 . An application refers to a diagnosis type determined based on a body part or an organ of a human or an animal. 
     For example, the application groups  3130  may include an abdomen group, a small part group including the chest, mouth, sexual organs, and the like, a vascular group, a musculoskeletal group, an obstetrics group, a gynecology group, a cardiac group, a brain group, a urology group, and a veterinary group. However, the application groups  3130  are not limited thereto. Body parts and organs of a human or an animal may be sorted into a plurality of application groups based on a predetermined standard. 
     The display  1401  may display the body markers  3120 , which are sorted into the application groups  3130 , on the screen  3110 . For example, the user may select (e.g., click or tap) a ‘Vascular’ icon from icons representing the application groups  3130  displayed on the screen  3110 . Then, from among the body markers  3120 , the display  1401  may display body markers included in the vascular group on the screen  3110 . 
     The body markers  3120  are generated and stored in advance. Accordingly, the user has to examine the body markers  3120  and select a first body marker that is the most appropriate for an object in a medical image. Therefore, it may require a large amount of time for the user to select the first body marker. 
     Also, the first body marker selected from the body markers  3120  may not include accurate information about the object. This will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 5B . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an example of a medical image  3220  displayed on a screen  3210  and a first body marker  3230  added to the medical image  3220 . For convenience of description,  FIG. 5B  is described assuming that the medical image  3220  is an ultrasound image showing a portion of blood vessels. 
     In order to facilitate understanding of a viewer of the medical image  3220 , the first body marker  3230  may be added to the medical image  3220 . The first body marker  3230  is selected from pre-generated body markers. Therefore, by viewing only the first body marker  3230 , the viewer may only be able to recognize that the medical image  3220  obtained is a captured image of blood vessels, without knowing which portion of the blood vessels is shown in the medical image  3220 . 
     The first body marker  3230  cannot be rotated or modified in any other manner. According to a direction of blood vessels  3250  shown in the first body marker  3230 , the first body marker  3230  may be unable to accurately indicate a direction of blood vessels  3240  shown in the medical image  3220 . For example, referring to  FIG. 5B , the blood vessels  3240  in the medical image  3220  are oriented with respect to an x-axis, whereas the blood vessels  3250  in the first body marker  3230  are oriented with respect to a y-axis. Therefore, the first body marker  3230  does provide accurate information about the object. 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates an example of a medical image  3320  displayed on a screen  3310  and a first body marker  3330  added to the medical image  3320 . For convenience of description,  FIG. 5C  is described assuming that the medical image  3320  is an ultrasound image showing a fetus. 
     A fetus  3340  of the ultrasound image  3320  is shown lying parallel to the x-axis and facing downward. However, a fetus  3350  of the first body marker  3330  is shown lying parallel to the x-axis and facing upward. Therefore, the first body marker  3330  does not provide accurate information about the fetus  3340  shown in the ultrasound image  3320 . 
     As described above with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 5C , the first body marker, which is a pre-generated body marker, may not accurately represent an object included in a medical image. 
     The controller  1701  according to an exemplary embodiment may generate a second body marker by modify a shape, orientations, or positions of the first body marker. Therefore, the controller  1701  may generate a body marker that accurately shows information about an object. Hereinafter, the second body marker will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a second body marker  3430  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a medical image  3420  displayed on a screen  3410  and a second body marker  3430  added to the medical image  3420 . For convenience of description,  FIG. 6  is described assuming that the medical image  3320  is an ultrasound image showing a fetus. 
     A fetus  3440  of the ultrasound image  3420  is shown lying parallel to the x-axis and facing downward. A fetus  3450  of the second body marker  3430  is also shown lying parallel to the x-axis and facing downward. In other words, the second body marker  3430  accurately shows an orientation and a facing direction of the fetus  3440  of the ultrasound image  3420 . 
     As described above with reference to  FIG. 5C , the first body marker  3330  does not accurately show a facing direction of the fetus  3340  of the ultrasound image  3320 . Therefore, the viewer may be unable to obtain accurate information about the fetus  3340  shown in the ultrasound image  3320  based on only the first body marker  3330 . However, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the second body marker  3430  accurately shows the orientation and location of the fetus  3440  of the ultrasound image  3420 , and thus, the viewer may obtain accurate information about the fetus  3440  shown in the ultrasound image  3420  based on only the second body marker  3430 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker by changing a shape of a first body marker according to a user input. For example, the controller  1701  may modify the shape, orientations, or positions of the first body marker according to a user input received via an input unit (not shown) in the apparatus  101 . The input unit in the apparatus  101  may be the same as the input unit  1600  described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     For example, in the case that the input unit includes hardware components, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and a jog switch, and a software module for driving the hardware components, the user input may include clicking a predetermined point on a screen or inputting a drag gesture from a point on the screen to another point on the screen. As another example, in the case that the input unit includes a touch screen and a software module for driving the touch screen, the user input may include a user gesture input on the touch screen. The gesture may include, for example, tapping, touch and hold, double tapping, dragging, scrolling, flicking, drag and drop, pinching, and stretching. 
     For example, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker by flipping the first body marker about a vertical axis according to the user input. As another example, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker by rotating the first body marker about a central axis of the first body marker according to the user input. As another example, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker by rotating the first body marker in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction according to the user input. 
     The display  1401  may display a medical image showing an object on a screen. Also, the display  1401  may display the second body marker generated by the controller  1701  on the screen. The display  1401  may display the first body marker and the second body marker on a single screen. 
     The controller  1701  may generate the second body marker by changing the shape of the first body marker according to the user input. In order to help the user to accurately input data, the display  1401  may display the first body marker and a predetermined guide image on the screen. Hereinafter, the first body marker and the predetermined guide image displayed by the display  1401  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are diagrams illustrating images used for generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an example of a first body marker  4120  and first to third guide images  4130 ,  4140 , and  4150  displayed on a screen  4110 . The user may provide a user input to the apparatus  101  based on the first body marker  4120  and the first to third guide images  4130 ,  4140 , and  4150  displayed on the screen  4110 . 
     The user may select a point on the guide images  4130 ,  4140 , and  4150  according to a predetermine rule, or input a drag gesture beginning from a point on the guide images  4130 ,  4140 , and  4150  to another point thereon. Also, the controller  1701  may modify a shape, orientations, or positions of the first body marker  4120  according to the user input. 
     For convenience of description, the user input is assumed as a gesture performed by the user in  FIGS. 7A to 14B . However, the user input is not limited thereto. As described above, the user may provide the user input to the apparatus  101  by using various hardware components, such as a keyboard or a mouse. 
     For example, when the user taps the first guide image  4130  or inputs a drag gesture along points surrounding the first guide image  4130  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the controller  1701  may rotate a portion of the first body marker  4120  about the central axis thereof. 
     As another example, when the user taps the second guide image  4140 , the controller  1701  may rotate a portion of the first body marker  4120  toward the second guide image  4140 . 
     As another example, when the user taps the third guide image  4150  or inputs a drag gesture in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction along points surrounding the third guide image  4150 , the controller  1701  may rotate a portion of the first body marker  4120  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7B , only the first body marker  4120  may be displayed on a screen  4160 . In other words, the first to third guide images  4130 ,  4140 , and  4150  of  FIG. 7A  may be omitted from the screen  4160 . In the case of  FIG. 7B , the user may also provide the user input, as described above with reference to  FIG. 7A , to the apparatus  101 , and the controller  1701  may modify a shape, orientations, or positions of the first body marker  4120  according to the user input. 
     Hereinafter, examples of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker by modifying a shape of a first body marker will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 14B . In  FIGS. 8A to 14B , it is assumed that the guide images  4130 ,  4140 , and  4150  are not displayed on a screen. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are diagrams illustrating an example of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     For example, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker  4230  by rotating a portion of a first body marker  4220  according to a user input. 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates an example of a screen  4210  displaying the first body marker  4220 . The user may select (e.g., tap) an outer point of the first body marker  4220 , and the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4220  to the point selected by the user. 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates an example of the second body marker  4230  generated by rotating the portion of the first body marker  4220 . For example, when the first body marker  4220  represents a fetus, the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4220  such that the head of the fetus is located toward a point  4240  selected by the user. In this case, the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4220  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. 
     According to a rotation degree of a portion of the second body marker  4230 , the second body marker  4230  may be the same as when the first body marker  4220  is flipped about a horizontal axis. 
     Accordingly, the controller  1701  may generate the second body marker  4230  by rotating the portion of the first body marker  4220  toward the point  4240  selected by the user. Also, the controller  1701  may store the second body marker  4230  in the memory of the apparatus  101 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are diagrams illustrating another example of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     For example, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker  4330  by rotating a portion of a first body marker  4320  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction according to a user input. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates an example of a screen  4310  displaying the first body marker  4320 . The user may input a drag gesture from an outer point on the first body marker  4320  to another outer point thereon in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4320  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction according to the drag gesture input by the user. 
       FIG. 9B  illustrates the second body marker  4330  generated by rotating the portion of the first body marker  4320  in a clockwise direction. For example, it is assumed that the first body marker  4320  represents a fetus, and the user inputs a drag gesture in a clockwise direction from a point  4340  toward which the head of the fetus  4833  is directed to another point  4350  on the first body marker  4320 . In this case, the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4320  in a clockwise direction such that the head of the fetus is pointed toward the point  4350  where the drag gesture stops. 
     Accordingly, the controller  1701  may generate the second body marker  4330  by rotating the portion of the first body marker  4320  in a clockwise direction toward the point  4350  selected by the user. Also, the controller  1701  may store the second body marker  4330  in the memory of the apparatus  101 . 
     As described above with reference to  FIGS. 9A to 9B , the controller  1701  may generate the second body marker  4330  by rotating the portion of the first body marker  4320  in a clockwise direction. However, when the user inputs a drag gesture in a counterclockwise direction, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker by rotating a first body marker in a counterclockwise direction toward a point where the drag gesture stops. 
       FIGS. 10A to 10D  are diagrams illustrating another example of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     For example, the controller  1701  may generate second body markers  4440 ,  4450 , and  4460  by rotating a portion of a first body marker  4420  about a central axis of the first body marker  4420  according to a user input. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates an example of a screen  4410  displaying the first body marker  4420 . The user may select (e.g., tap) a point  4430  through which the central axis of the first body marker  4420  passes, and the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4420  about the central axis thereof according to the selected point. 
     Although  FIGS. 10B to 10D  illustrate that the first body marker  4420  is rotated about the central axis thereof in a counterclockwise direction, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. In other words, the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4420  about the central axis thereof in the counterclockwise direction based on a predetermined rule. 
       FIG. 10B  illustrates an example of the second body marker  4440  generated by rotating the portion of the first body marker  4420  by 90° about the central axis thereof. For example, it is assumed that the first body marker  4420  represents the fetus, when the user taps the point  4430  through which the central axis of the first body marker  4320  passes. In this case, the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4320  by 90° about the central axis thereof in a counterclockwise direction. 
       FIG. 10C  illustrates an example of the second body marker  4450  generated by rotating the portion of the second body marker  4440  of the  FIG. 10B  by 90° about a central axis of the second body marker  4440 . For example, it is assumed that the second body marker  4440  represents the fetus, and the user taps the point  4430  through which the central axis of the second body marker  4440  passes. In this case, the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the second body marker  4440  by 90° about the central axis thereof in a counterclockwise direction. 
       FIG. 10D  illustrates an example of the second body marker  4460  generated by rotating the portion of the second body marker  4450  of  FIG. 10C  by 90° about a central axis of the second body marker  4450 . For example, it is assumed that the second body marker  4450  represents the fetus, and the user taps the point  4430  through which the central axis of the second body marker  4450  passes. In this case, the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the second body marker  4450  by 90° about the central axis thereof in a counterclockwise direction. 
     Accordingly, the controller  1701  may generate the second body markers  4440 ,  4450 , and  4460  by rotating the portion of the first body marker  4420  about the central axis thereof. Also, the controller  1701  may store the second body markers  4440 ,  4450 , and  4460  in the memory of the apparatus  101 . 
     As described above with reference to FIGS.  FIG. 10A  to  FIG. 10D , the controller  1701  may rotate the portion of the first body marker  4420  about the central axis thereof according to taps performed by the user. The taps may be continuous or discontinuous, but are not limited thereto. 
     For example, it is assumed that the user inputs a drag gesture in a clockwise direction from a point on the first body marker  4420  where the central axis of the first body marker  4420  passes through to another point on the first body marker  4420 . Based on a distance of the drag gesture, the controller  1701  may rotate the first body marker  4420  about the central axis thereof in a clockwise direction. For example, when the user inputs a drag gesture in a clockwise direction from a first point to a second point, in which the distance between the first point and the second point is 1 mm, the controller  1701  may rotate the first body marker  4420  by 20° in a clockwise direction. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The distance of the drag gesture and a rotation degree of the first body marker  4420  may vary. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams illustrating another example of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     For example, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker  4540  by flipping a first body marker  4520  about the vertical axis according to a user input. 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates an example of a screen  4510  displaying the first body marker  4520 . When the user selects (e.g., tap) an outer point  4530  on the first body marker  4520 , the controller  1701  may flip the first body marker  4520  about the vertical axis. 
       FIG. 11B  illustrates an example of the second body marker  4540  generated by flipping the first body marker  4520  about the vertical axis. For example, when the first body marker  4520  represents the palm of the right hand of a subject, the controller  1701  may flip the first body marker  4520  about the vertical axis to show an inverse image of the palm of the right hand. 
     Accordingly, the controller  1701  may generate the second body marker  4540  by flipping the first body marker  4520  about the vertical axis. Also, the controller  1701  may store the second body marker  4540  in the memory of the apparatus  101 . 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are diagrams illustrating another example of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     For example, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker  4640  by flipping over a first body marker  4620  (i.e., rotating the first body marker  4620  by 180° about a central axis thereof in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction) according to a user input. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates an example of a screen  4610  displaying the first body marker  4620 . When the user selects (e.g., tap) a point  4630  through which a central axis of the first body marker  4620  passes, the controller  1701  may flip over the first body marker  4620 . 
       FIG. 12B  illustrates an example of the second body marker  4640  generated by flipping over the first body marker  4620 . For example, when the first body marker  4620  represents the palm of the right hand, the controller  1701  may flip over the first body marker  4620  to display the back of the right hand. 
     Accordingly, the controller  1701  may generate the second body marker  4640  by flipping over the first body marker  4620 . Also, the controller  1701  may store the second body marker  4640  in the memory of the apparatus  101 . 
     As described above with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 12B , the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker that represents a single object by using a first body marker that represents a single object. However, a body marker may represent a plurality of objects. For example, when a medical image is obtained by capturing the uterus of a pregnant woman having twins, a body marker added to the medical image has to represent the twins (that is, a plurality of objects). 
     The controller  1701  according to an exemplary embodiment may generate a second body marker that represents a plurality of objects by using a first body marker that represents a single object. Hereinafter, examples of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker that represents a plurality of objects will be described with reference to  FIGS. 13A to 14B . 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are diagrams illustrating another example of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 13A  illustrates an example of a screen  4710  displaying a first body marker  4720  that represents a single object. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the first body marker  4720  represents a fetus. 
     The controller  1701  may change the number of objects represented by a body marker, according to a user input. For example, when the user selects (e.g., taps) an icon  4730  displayed at a predetermined location on the screen  4710 , the display  1401  may display a pop-up window  4740  showing the number of objects that may be represented by a body marker. Accordingly, the user may set the number of objects to be represented by the body marker. 
     When the user has set the body marker to represent 2 objects, the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker  4750  that includes 2 fetuses, as shown in  FIG. 13B . Also, the controller  1701  may store the second body marker  4750  in the memory of the apparatus  101 . 
     The controller  1701  may modify shapes, orientations, or positions of a plurality of objects included in a body marker. For example, when a medical image is obtained by capturing the uterus of a pregnant woman having twins, each fetus may be oriented in different directions. Therefore, the controller  1701  may modify the shape, orientations, or positions of the plurality of objects in the body marker to thus generate a body marker that accurately shows information about the objects. 
     Hereinafter, an example of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker by modifying the shape, orientations, or positions according to a plurality of objects included in a body marker will be described with reference to  FIGS. 14A and 14B . 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  are diagrams illustrating another example of the controller  1701  generating a second body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 14A  illustrates an example of a screen  4810  displaying a first body marker  4820  that includes a plurality of objects. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the first body marker  4820  includes twins. Also, as described above with reference to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the controller  1701  may generate the first body marker  4820  by using a body marker that includes a single fetus. 
     Based on a user input, the controller  1701  may select an object from among objects included in a body marker. For example, when the user selects (e.g., taps) a fetus  4833  from fetuses  4831  and  4833  displayed on the screen  4810 , the controller  1701  may determine the fetus  4833  as an object to be reshaped, reoriented, or repositioned. In this case, the display  1401  may display the fetuses  4831  and  4833  such that the fetus  4833  that is selected is distinguished from the fetus  4831  that is not selected (for example, change in thickness or line color). Thus, the user may easily recognize the selected fetus  4833 . 
     The controller  1701  may modify a shape, orientations, or positions of the fetus  4833  according to a user input. The user input is the same as described above with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 12B . For example, it is assumed that the user inputs a drag gesture in a clockwise direction from a point  4840  toward which the head of the fetus  4833  is directed to another point  4850 . In this case, the controller  1701  may rotate the fetus  4833  such that the head is directed toward the point  4850  where the drag gesture stops. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14B , the controller  1701  may generate a second body marker  4860  in which a location of the fetus  4833  of  FIG. 14A  is modified. Also, the controller  1701  may store the second body marker  4860  in the memory of the apparatus  101 . 
     Although second body markers described above with reference to  FIGS. 7A to 14B  are 2-dimensional, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. In other words, the controller  1701  may generate a 3-dimensional second body marker. 
       FIG. 15  is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus  102  for generating a body marker, according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the apparatus  102  may include a controller  1702 , a display  1402 , and an input unit  1601 . All or some of the controller  1702 , the display  1402 , and the input unit  1601  may be implemented as software modules, but are not limited thereto. Some of the controller  1702 , the display  1402 , and the input unit  1601  may be implemented as hardware. Also, each of the display  1402  and the input unit  1601  may include an independent control module. 
     Also, the controller  1702  may be the same as the controller  1701  of  FIG. 4 , the display  1402  may be the same as the display  1401  of  FIG. 4 , and the input unit  1601  may be the same as the input unit  1600  of  FIG. 2 . If the apparatus  102  is a component included in an ultrasound imaging device, then, in addition to the controller  1702 , the display  1402 , and the input unit  1601 , the apparatus  102  may further include the ultrasound transceiver  1100 , the image processor  1200 , the communication module  1300 , and the memory  1500  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Operations of the display  1402  are the same as operations of corresponding components described above with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 14B . Therefore, detailed description of the display  1402  will not be repeated. 
     The input unit  1601  may receive a user input for selecting a first body marker corresponding to an object in a medical image. The user input refers to an input selecting the first body marker from prestored body markers. 
     The controller  1702  may select the first body marker based on the user input transmitted from the input unit  1601 . Also, the controller  1702  may generate a second body marker by changing a shape of the first body marker according to a user input received after the user input for selecting the first body marker. Since examples of the controller  1702  generating the second body marker have been described above in detail with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 14B , descriptions of the examples will not be repeated. 
     Hereinafter, an example of the input unit  1601  receiving a user input and the controller  1702  selecting a first body marker will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 16A and 16B . 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  are diagrams illustrating an example of an input unit receiving a user input for selecting a first body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16A , a screen  5110  displays a plurality of body markers  5120  prestored in the apparatus  102 . In this case, the body markers  5120  may be sorted into application groups  5130 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 5A . 
     The user may select a body marker  5140  from among the body markers  5120  displayed on the screen  5110 . For example, when the input unit  1601  includes hardware components, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and a jog switch, and a software module for driving the hardware components, the user may click the body marker  5140  from among the body markers  5120 . As another example, when the input unit  1601  includes a touch screen and a software module for driving the touch screen, the user may tap the body marker  5140  from among the body markers  5120 . 
     The controller  1702  may select a first body marker based on the user input. In other words, the body marker  5140  selected by the user is selected as the first body marker. Then, as shown in  FIG. 16B , the display  1402  may display a first body marker  5160  on a screen  5150 . 
     As described above with reference to  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B , the controller  1702  may select a body marker determined by the user as the first body marker. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the controller  1702  may select the first body marker based on a shape of an object shown in a medical image. Hereinafter, an example of the controller  1702  selecting a first body marker based on a shape of an object will be described with reference to  FIGS. 17, 18A, and 18B . 
       FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus  103  for generating a body marker, according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , the apparatus  103  may include a controller  1703 , a display  1403 , and an image processor  1201 . All or some of the controller  1703 , the display  1403 , and the image processor  1201  may be implemented as software modules, but are not limited thereto. Some of the controller  1703 , the display  1403 , and the image processor  1201  may be implemented as hardware. Also, each of the display  1403  and the image processor  1201  may include an independent control module. 
     Also, the controller  1703  may be the same as the controller  1701  of  FIG. 4 , the display  1403  may be the same as the display  1401  of  FIG. 4 , and the image processor  1201  may be the same as the image processor  1200  of  FIG. 2 . If the apparatus  103  is a component included in an ultrasound imaging device, then, in addition to the controller  1703 , the display  1403 , and the image processor  1201 , the apparatus  103  may further include the ultrasound transceiver  1100 , the communication module  1300 , the memory  1500 , and the input unit  1600  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Operations of the display  1403  are the same as operations of corresponding components described above with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 14B . Therefore, detailed description of the display  1403  will not be repeated. 
     The image processor  1201  selects a portion of an object from a medical image. For example, the image processor  1201  may detect outlines of the object in the medical image, connect the detected outlines, and thus select the portion of the object. The image processor  1201  may select the portion of the object by using various methods, for example, a thresholding method, a K-means algorithm, a compression-based method, a histogram-based method, edge detection, a region-growing method, a partial differential equation-based method, and a graph partitioning method. Since the methods above are well-know to one of ordinary skill in the art, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     The controller  1703  may select a first body marker based on information of the shape of the object. For example, from among a plurality of body markers stored in the apparatus  103 , the controller  1703  may select a first body marker having a shape that is the most similar to the object. 
     Also, the controller  1703  may generate a second body marker by modifying the shape, orientations, or positions of the first body marker according to a user input received after the first body marker is selected. Since examples of the controller  1703  generating the second body marker have been described above in detail with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 14B , the examples will not be repeatedly described. 
     Hereinafter an example of the image processor  1201  selecting the portion of the object from the medical image and the controller  1702  selecting the first body marker will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 18A and 18B . 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  are diagrams illustrating an example of an image processor selecting a portion of an object from a medical image, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18A , a screen  5210  displays a medical image  5220  showing an object  5230 . The image processor  1201  may select a portion of the object  5230  from the medical image  5220 . For example, the image processor  1201  may use any one of the methods described with reference to  FIG. 17  to select the portion of the object  5230  from the medical image  5220 . 
     The controller  1703  may select a first body marker based on the shape of the object  5230 . For example, from among the plurality of body markers stored in the apparatus  103 , the controller  1703  may select a body marker  5240  having a shape that is the most similar to the object  5230  as the first body marker. Also, as shown in  FIG. 16B , the display  1402  may display the first body marker  5240  on a screen  5250 . 
       FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating a body marker, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , the method of generating the body marker includes operations sequentially performed by the ultrasound diagnosis systems  1000 ,  1001 , and  1002  respectively shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2  or the apparatuses  100 ,  101 ,  102 , and  103  respectively shown in  FIGS. 4, 15, and 17 . Therefore, all of the above-described features and elements of the ultrasound diagnosis systems  1000 ,  1001 , and  1002  respectively shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2  and the apparatuses  100 ,  101 ,  102 , and  103  respectively shown in  FIGS. 4, 15, and 17  apply to the method of  FIG. 19 . 
     In operation  6100 , a controller selects a first body marker from among a plurality of prestored body markers based on an object shown in a medical image. The plurality of body markers may be stored in a memory of an apparatus for generating a body marker. 
     In operation  6200 , the controller generates a second body marker by changing a shape of the first body marker according to a user input. For example, the controller may generate the second body marker by flipping the first body marker about a vertical axis according to the user input. As another example, the controller may generate the second body marker by rotating the first body marker about a central axis thereof according to the user input. Alternatively, the controller may generate the second body marker by rotating the first body marker in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction according to the user input. 
     In operation  6300 , a display displays the second body marker. The display may display the first body marker and the second body marker on a single screen. 
     As described above, according to the one or more of the above exemplary embodiments, a body marker that corresponds to a current location or direction of an object shown in a medical image may be generated. Also, the user may spend less time selecting the body marker that corresponds to the current location or direction of the object from among prestored body markers. 
     In addition, other exemplary embodiments can also be implemented through computer-readable code/instructions in/on a medium, e.g., a computer-readable medium, to control at least one processing element to implement any above described exemplary embodiment. The medium can correspond to any medium/media permitting the storage and/or transmission of the computer-readable code. 
     The computer-readable code can be recorded/transferred on a medium in a variety of ways, with examples of the medium including recording media, such as magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, or DVDs), and transmission media such as Internet transmission media. Thus, the medium may be such a defined and measurable structure including or carrying a signal or information, such as a device carrying a bitstream according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The media may also be a distributed network, so that the computer-readable code is stored/transferred and executed in a distributed fashion. Furthermore, the processing element could include a processor or a computer processor, and processing elements may be distributed and/or included in a single device. 
     It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described therein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each exemplary embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other exemplary embodiments. 
     While one or more exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.