Patent Abstract:
An image processing system having a server which applies image processing to a medical image sent by a subscriber via a generally available network, such as the “internet”, and sends the results of the image processing back to that subscriber or to another subscriber as instructed upon verification of the legitimacy of the instructions. In this manner, the processing load is reduced and medical images are made more readily and easily accessible.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a medical image service method, medical software service method, medical image central management server apparatus, medical software central management server apparatus, medical image service system and medical software service system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a medical image service method, medical software service method, medical image central management server apparatus and medical software central management server apparatus which can reduce the work of managing medical images and medical software, relative to individual management thereof, at the installation site of a medical image diagnosis apparatus, and a medical image service system and medical software service system which can reduce the work of management and image processing relative to individual management and image processing. 
   In general, medical images taken at a hospital are accumulated in a local storage device in the hospital for management. For example, the images are accumulated on a hard disk device attached to an MRI apparatus or a CT apparatus. So that medical images taken at one hospital can be used at another hospital, a medical information service system is known which sends the medical images from a terminal in the former hospital to a terminal in the latter hospital via a network. 
   In addition, a hospital installs and manages the medical software (application programs) necessary for operating its medical image diagnosis apparatuses independently of other hospitals. The medical software programs used to operate MRI apparatuses and CT apparatuses, for example, are frequently improved, so that it is necessary to install patch software to upgrade the installed medical software every time an improvement is made. 
   When medical images are accumulated in a local storage device as in the past, the following problems arise: 
   (1) An MR image or a CT image has a relatively large data size. For example, an MR image with 256×256 dots and two-byte intensity has a data size of 128 kilobytes. However, a local storage device often has a storage capacity intended only for minimum practical use in a common hospital because of restriction on cost or the like, and the device cannot perform well in a hospital which requires an especially large number of images taken or an especially long image storage period. For example, assuming that three MRI apparatuses are installed in one hospital, and each MRI apparatus takes 1,000 images (=assuming the number of patients to be 20, and the number of images taken per patient to be 50) a day, the data size will be 128 megabytes a day and will be 37.5 gigabytes a year (assuming the number of operation days to be 300), which leads to difficulty in accumulating and managing MR images over many years in the instrument having a small storage capacity. 
   (2) In order to use a medical information service system, it is necessary for the sender and the recipient to make a contract with each other. In other words, each party must make as many contracts as the number of partners it has, which is troublesome. Accordingly, the number of partners is limited to a small number in practice. 
   (3) In order to use a medical information service system, the user needs to connect the partner&#39;s address by inputting the address through a terminal. When the number of the partners is large, the user cannot remember all of their addresses. The work of searching for a partner&#39;s address therefore takes place every time the address is needed, which is troublesome. Accordingly, the number of partners is limited to a small number in practice. 
   Moreover, when a medical image diagnosis apparatus performs image processing on a medical image, the following problems arise: 
   (1) If image processing is executed simultaneously with processing for imaging of a subject, the speed of one or both of the processing operations is liable to be lowered, and the processing time is prolonged in proportion. 
   (2) A separate image processing program must be installed in each medical image diagnosis apparatus. In other words, only a purchaser of the image processing program can use the program. 
   Furthermore, when medical software for medical image diagnosis apparatuses are separately managed in individual hospitals as in the past, the following problems occur: 
   (1) Each time new medical software is released, the hospitals must install it separately, which is time-consuming. Moreover, the work of software version management also falls on the hospital and is not an easy task. 
   (2) Since medical software can be updated only after the hospital obtains it as patch software recorded on a storage medium (such as an FD or MO), the time of the actual update is delayed relative to the release date. This is especially inconvenient when new hardware is introduced (for example, a new type of RF coil is installed in an MRI apparatus). 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a medical image service method and system which can alleviate the effect of restricted storage capacity in the storage of medical images, and which can deliver medical images to a multiplicity of parties via a network without need for the troublesome work of making contracts or conducting searches. It is also within this object to provide a server apparatus for this purpose. 
   A second object of the present invention is to provide a medical image service system which can reduce image processing load, and which can make a medical image subjected to image processing easily available. 
   A third object of the present invention is to provide a medical software service method and system which can reduce the work of managing medical software at the installation site of a medical image diagnosis apparatus, and which enables immediate utilization of the latest medical software at all times. It is also within this object to provide a server apparatus for this purpose. 
   In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a medical image service method characterized in that an image-registering subscriber permitted to register medical images, an image-receiving subscriber permitted to receive medical images, and a server apparatus for centrally managing medical images are connected via a network; and said server apparatus registers medical images sent by said image-registering subscriber in a database and delivers said medical images to said image-receiving subscriber. 
   In the medical image service method of the first aspect, since a server apparatus registers medical images sent by an image-registering subscriber via a network in a database, the number of medical images that an image-registering subscriber can store is not restricted by its local storage capacity. Specifically, since server apparatuses are as a general practice designed for the purpose of handling enormous volumes of stored information and to have a storage medium that is enhanced in maintainability and extensibility, the restriction on the storage capacity is substantially eliminated, and a large number of medical images taken in the past can be efficiently accumulated. 
   Moreover, since the server apparatus delivers medical images to an image-receiving subscriber via the network, medical images can also be delivered to a multiplicity of parties without need for the troublesome work of making contracts or conducting searches. 
   In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service method of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said medical images are those associated with at least one of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), X-ray CT (computed tomography), ultrasound, PET (positron emission computed tomography), digitized X-ray (digital X-ray imaging and digitization of X-ray films) and CR (computed radiography). 
   In the medical image service method of the second aspect, several kinds of medical images (associated with MRI, X-ray CT, ultrasound, PET, digitized X-ray and CR) can be efficiently accumulated and delivered. 
   In accordance with a third aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service method of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that the method comprises: transmitting the medical images compressed in data size on the network, and decompressing the transmitted data into the original data on the receiving end. 
   In the medical image service method of the third aspect, since the medical image is transmitted after being compressed in data size, the transmission time can be reduced. 
   In accordance with a fourth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service method of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said server apparatus checks the legitimacy of said image-registering subscriber or said image-receiving subscriber. 
   In the medical image service method of the fourth aspect, since the server apparatus checks the legitimacy of the image-registering subscriber or image-receiving subscriber, illegitimate image registration by a third party who is not an image-registering subscriber or illegitimate delivery to a third party who is not an image-receiving subscriber can be prevented. 
   In accordance with a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service method of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said server apparatus makes a backup of the medical images registered in the database. 
   In the medical image service method of the fifth aspect, since the server apparatus makes a backup of medical images registered in the database, the medical images can be prevented from being lost when a failure occurs, thereby improving reliability. Moreover, since the image-registering subscribers do not need to individually make backups, the work of the image-registering subscribers can be reduced. 
   In accordance with a sixth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service method of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said image-receiving subscriber sends format information including image identifier information to a hard copy device, and said hard copy device obtains delivery of a medical image corresponding to said image identifier information from said server apparatus via said network, and makes a hard copy of the medical image. 
   In the medical image service method of the sixth aspect, when format information including image identifier information is sent to a hard copy device, the hard copy device obtains delivery of a medical image from the server apparatus via the network, and makes a hard copy of the medical image. Therefore, apparatuses other than the hard copy device can be released to execute other processing after a short time period. 
   In accordance with a seventh aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service method of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said server apparatus sends via said network to the delivery destination of a medical image the imaging conditions for the medical image. 
   In the medical image service method of the seventh aspect, since the server apparatus sends via the network to the delivery destination of a medical image the imaging conditions of the medical image, imaging under the same imaging conditions as in the past can be done by a medical image diagnosis apparatus installed at the delivery destination without need for resetting. 
   In accordance with an eighth aspect, the present invention provides a medical software service method characterized in that a software-executing subscriber permitted to run medical software, and a server apparatus for centrally managing medical software are connected via a network; and said server apparatus registers medical software in a database and delivers said medical software to said software-executing subscriber. 
   In the medical software service method of the eighth aspect, since a server apparatus delivers medical software registered in a database to a software-executing subscriber via a network, the work for managing medical software at the installation site of a medical image diagnosis apparatus can be reduced, and the latest medical software can be run. 
   In accordance with a ninth aspect, the present invention provides a medical image central management server apparatus characterized in that the apparatus comprises: medical image registering means for, when registration of a medical image is requested by an image-registering subscriber connected via the network of the foregoing configuration, registering said medical image in a database; and medical image delivery means for, when delivery of a medical image is requested by an image-receiving subscriber connected via said network, reading the medical image from said database and delivering the medical image to said image-receiving subscriber. 
   The medical image central management server apparatus of the ninth aspect is suitable as a server apparatus for use in the medical image service method as described regarding the first aspect. 
   In accordance with a tenth aspect, the present invention provides a medical image central management server apparatus characterized in that the apparatus comprises: medical image/imaging condition registering means for, when registration of a medical image is requested by an image-registering subscriber connected via a network, registering said medical image and its imaging conditions in a database; and medical image/imaging condition delivery means for, when delivery of a medical image is requested by an image-receiving subscriber connected via said network, reading the medical image and imaging conditions from said database and delivering the medical image and imaging conditions to said image-receiving subscriber. 
   The medical image central management server apparatus of the tenth aspect is suitable as a server apparatus for use in the medical image service method as described regarding the seventh aspect. 
   In accordance with an eleventh aspect, the present invention provides a medical software central management server apparatus characterized in that the apparatus comprises: medical software registering means for registering in a database medical software for each software-executing subscriber which is connected via a network and is permitted to run medical software; and medical software delivery means for delivering said medical software (or the product of its execution) to said software-executing subscriber in response to an access by said software-executing subscriber. 
   The medical software central management server apparatus of the eleventh aspect is suitable as a server apparatus for use in the medical software service method as described regarding the eighth aspect. 
   In accordance with a twelfth aspect, the present invention provides a medical image service system characterized in that the system comprises: an image-registering subscriber permitted to register medical images via a network; an image-receiving subscriber permitted to receive medical images via the network; and a server apparatus for registering medical images sent by said image-registering subscriber in a database and delivering said medical images to said image-receiving subscriber. 
   The medical image service system of the twelfth aspect can suitably practice the medical image service method as described regarding the first aspect. 
   In accordance with a thirteenth aspect, the present invention provides a medical image service system characterized in that the system comprises: an image-sending/receiving subscriber permitted to send and receive medical images via a network; and an image processing server apparatus for applying image processing to said medical images and sending the processed medical images back to said image-sending/receiving subscriber. 
   In the medical image service system of the thirteenth aspect, since an image processing server apparatus applies image processing to medical images sent by an image-sending/receiving subscriber via a network, and sends the result back to the image-sending/receiving subscriber, the image-sending/receiving subscriber does not need to perform image processing. 
   Therefore, the work of the image-sending/receiving subscriber can be reduced and the inconvenience of lowering the speed of other processing can be avoided. Moreover, since each image-sending/receiving subscriber is freed from the need to independently purchase and install image processing programs, the subscriber can easily obtain the result of image processing. 
   In accordance with a fourteenth aspect, the present invention provides a medical image service system characterized in that the system comprises: an image-sending subscriber permitted to send medical images via a network; an image-receiving subscriber permitted to receive medical images via the network; and an image processing server apparatus for applying image processing to medical images sent by said image-sending subscriber and sending the processed medical images to said image-receiving subscriber. 
   In the medical image service system of the fourteenth aspect, since an image processing server apparatus applies image processing to medical images sent by an image-sending subscriber via a network, and sends the result to an image-receiving subscriber, medical images subjected to required image processing can be obtained without need for the image-sending subscriber or the image-receiving subscriber to perform image processing. Moreover, it is also possible for the image processing server apparatus to deliver medical images to a multiplicity of image-receiving subscribers via the network, which is efficient. 
   In accordance with a fifteenth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that the system comprises two or more subscribers as at least one member among said image-sending/receiving subscriber, said image-sending subscriber and said image-receiving subscriber. 
   In the medical image service system of the fifteenth aspect, a plurality of image-sending/receiving subscribers or image-sending subscribers can send medical images to the image processing server apparatus. Moreover, a plurality of image-sending/receiving subscribers or image-receiving subscribers can obtain medical images subjected to image processing from the image processing server apparatus. 
   In accordance with a sixteenth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that the system comprises a plurality of said image processing server apparatuses, and the processing is shared among said image processing server apparatuses. 
   In the medical image service system of the sixteenth aspect, the processing efficiency can be improved by sharing the processing load among the plurality of image processing server apparatuses. 
   In accordance with a seventeenth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that at least one of said image-sending/receiving subscriber, said image-sending subscriber and said image-receiving subscriber specifies the type of image processing to communicate it to said image processing server apparatus. 
   In the medical image service system of the seventeenth aspect, the image-sending/receiving subscriber, image-sending subscriber and image-receiving subscriber can select the required image processing from among many types of image processing, and cause the image processing server apparatus to execute the selected image processing. 
   In accordance with an eighteenth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said image processing server apparatus informs said image-sending/receiving subscriber or said image-receiving subscriber of the type of image processing that was applied. 
   In the medical image service system of the eighteenth aspect, the image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-receiving subscriber can accurately ascertain the type of image processing applied to the medical image, thereby improving reliability. 
   In accordance with a nineteenth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that, when said image processing is completed, said image processing server apparatus establishes communication with said image-sending/receiving subscriber or said image-receiving subscriber and sends the medical image subjected to the image processing to said image-sending/receiving subscriber or said image-receiving subscriber. 
   In the medical image service system of the nineteenth aspect, after the completion of image processing, the image processing server apparatus establishes communication with the image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-receiving subscriber and sends the medical image subjected to the image processing. The use time of the network can therefore be decreased to reduce communication costs. 
   In accordance with a twentieth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said image-sending/receiving subscriber or said image-receiving subscriber sends a request for a medical image subjected to image processing to said image processing server apparatus and receives said medical image via said network. 
   In the medical image service system of the twentieth aspect, since the image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-receiving subscriber sends a request for a medical image subjected to image processing to the image processing server apparatus, the need for processing by the image processing server apparatus to establish communication with the image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-receiving subscriber is eliminated. 
   In accordance with a twenty-first aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said image processing server apparatus stores each medical image in at least one of its form before image processing and its form after image processing. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-first aspect, the image processing server apparatus can store a multiplicity of medical images taken in the past and/or medical images obtained by subjecting such images to image processing, and provide these images to the image-sending/receiving subscribers and image-receiving subscribers for use. 
   In accordance with a twenty-second aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said image-sending/receiving subscriber or said image-receiving subscriber requests said image processing server apparatus to conduct image processing on part or all of the medical images stored in said image processing server apparatus, and receives the medical images subjected to the image processing from said image processing server apparatus. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-second aspect, since the image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-receiving subscriber requests image processing of medical images stored in the image processing server apparatus, the need for sending original medical images each time image processing is to be performed is eliminated, and the processing time can be reduced. 
   In accordance with a twenty-third aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said image processing server apparatus polls said image-sending/receiving subscribers or said image-sending subscribers via said network to collect medical images before image processing. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-third aspect, since the image processing server apparatus polls the image-sending/receiving subscribers or image-sending subscribers to collect medical images before image processing, the work of the image-sending/receiving subscribers or image-sending subscribers for sending an original medical image to the image processing server apparatus can be reduced. 
   In accordance with a twenty-fourth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said medical images are those associated with at least one of MRI, X-ray CT, ultrasound, PET, digitized X-ray and CR. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-fourth aspect, several kinds of medical images (associated with MRI, X-ray CT, ultrasound, PET, digitized X-ray and CR) can be efficiently accumulated and delivered, and image processing can be applied to the several kinds of medical images. 
   In accordance with a twenty-fifth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that the system transmits the medical images compressed in data size on the network, and decompresses the transmitted data into the original data on the receiving end. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-fifth aspect, since the medical images are transmitted after being compressed in data size, the transmission time can be reduced. 
   In accordance with a twenty-sixth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said server apparatus comprises security means for checking the legitimacy of said image-registering subscriber or said image-receiving subscriber. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-sixth aspect, since the server apparatus checks the legitimacy of the subscriber, illegitimate registering, illegitimate sending or illegitimate receiving of images by third parties who are not valid subscribers can be prevented. 
   In accordance with a twenty-seventh aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said server apparatus comprises backup means for making a backup of the medical images registered in the database. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-seventh aspect, since the server apparatus makes a backup of medical images registered in the database, the medical images can be prevented from being lost when a failure occurs, thereby improving reliability. Moreover, since the image-registering subscribers do not need to individually make backups, the work of the image-registering subscribers can be reduced. 
   In accordance with a twenty-eighth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said image-receiving subscriber sends format information including image identifier information to a hard copy device, and said hard copy device makes a hard copy of a medical image sent by said server apparatus via said network. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-eighth aspect, when the image-receiving subscriber sends format information including image identifier information to the hard copy device, the hard copy device makes a hard copy of a medical image sent by the server apparatus via the network. Therefore, apparatuses other than the hard copy device can be released to execute other processing after a short time period. 
   In accordance with a twenty-ninth aspect, the present invention provides the medical image service system of the foregoing configuration, characterized in that said server apparatus sends via said network to the delivery destination of a medical image the imaging conditions for said medical image. 
   In the medical image service system of the twenty-ninth aspect, since the server apparatus sends via the network to the delivery destination of a medical image the imaging conditions for the medical image, imaging under the same imaging conditions as in the past can be done by a medical image diagnosis apparatus installed at the destination without need for resetting. 
   In accordance with a thirtieth aspect, the present invention provides a medical software service system characterized in that the system comprises: a software-executing subscriber permitted to run medical software via the network; and a server apparatus for registering medical software in a database and for delivering said medical software to said software-executing subscriber via said network. 
   In the medical software service system of the thirtieth aspect, the medical software service method as described regarding the eighth aspect can be suitably practiced. 
   According to the medical image service method, medical image central management server apparatus and medical image service system of the present invention, since medical images are centrally managed in a database on the server apparatus and required medical images are delivered via a network, the work for managing the medical images (and storage devices storing them) at the individual installation sites of medical image diagnosis apparatuses is reduced. 
   Moreover, according to the medical image service system of the present invention, since an image processing server apparatus applies image processing to a medical image and sends the result to a subscriber of an image processing service (the subscriber may include a provisional type that has no specific qualifications and a type that has entered into a specific contract), inconveniences experienced in running an image processing program on a medical image diagnosis apparatus (for example, reduction in processing speed, purchase and installation work) are eliminated, and every subscriber can obtain a medical image subjected to the required image processing any time. 
   Furthermore, according to the medical software service method, medical software central management server apparatus and medical software service system of the present invention, since medical software programs are centrally managed in a database on the server apparatus and required medical software is delivered via a network, the work for managing the medical software (and storage devices storing them) at the individual installation sites of medical image diagnosis apparatuses is reduced. 
   Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system in accordance with a first embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing medical image registration processing on a medical image database in a medical image central management server apparatus. 
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary diagram showing the registered contents in the medical image database after the registration processing of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing processing for delivery of medical images from the medical image central management server apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  is an exemplary diagram showing a screen for specifying a delivery-requested image. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system in accordance with a second embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing medical image registration processing in the medical image service system in accordance with a third embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  is an exemplary diagram showing the registered contents in the medical image database after the registration processing of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart showing processing for delivery of medical images and imaging conditions from the medical image central management server apparatus. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a medical software service system in accordance with a fourth embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  is an exemplary diagram showing the registered contents in a medical software database. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system in accordance with a fifth embodiment. 
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart showing processing for applying image processing to a medical image and sending the processed image back to an image-sending/receiving subscriber by an image processing server apparatus. 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating the data structure of an image processing request. 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating the data structure of an image processing result. 
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system in accordance with a seventh embodiment. 
       FIG. 18  is a flow chart showing processing for applying image processing to a medical image specified by an image-sending/receiving subscriber and sending the processed image to the image-sending/receiving subscriber by an image processing server apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. 
   FIRST EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system  1000  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
   The medical image service system  1000  comprises a network  1  such as the Internet, a LAN (local aria network) or a WAN (wide aria network), an A-hospital  21 , B-hospital  22 , C-hospital  23 , D-hospital  24 , E-hospital  25 , and an SR1-individual  31  and SR2-individual  32 , and a medical image central management server apparatus  100 , all connected to the network  1 . The communication medium for the network  1  may be wired, wireless or a combination thereof. 
   When the network  1  is the Internet, a non-subscriber  50  is also connected to the network  1 . The non-subscriber  50  is a terminal that has not concluded a contract to use the medical image central management server apparatus  100 . 
   In addition, it is preferred to use an SSL (secure socket layer protocol) or the like in the interest of security. 
   In the A-hospital  21 , MRI apparatuses (A_MRI# 1 , A_MRI# 2 ), a CT apparatus (A_CT# 1 ) and an X-ray imaging apparatus (A_X# 1 ) are installed. 
   In the B-hospital  22 , an MRI apparatus (B_MRI# 1 ) is installed. 
   In the C-hospital  23 , an MRI apparatus (C_MRI# 1 ) and a CT apparatus (C_CT# 1 ) are installed. 
   In the D-hospital  24 , MRI apparatuses (D_MRI# 1 , D_MRI# 2 , D_MRI# 3 ) are installed. 
   Moreover, at least one of ultrasound diagnosis, PET and CR apparatuses may be installed instead of, or in addition to, the aforementioned apparatuses in any hospital. 
   The medical image central management server apparatus  100  comprises a communication section  10 A, an input section  10 B, an output section  10 C, a security management section  10 D, a data compression/decompression section  10 E, a backup control section  10 F, a medical image database management section  10 G and a medical image database  101 , and operates under the control of a medical image central management program. The storage medium for the medical image database  101  is a mass storage hard disk, for example. 
   The A-hospital  21  and B-hospital  22  have entered into contracts to register as image-registering subscribers and image-receiving subscribers of the medical image central management server apparatus  100 . They act as image-registering subscribers and image-receiving subscribers by running on their terminals a registering/receiving subscriber program. This program is recorded on a storage medium (such as a CD-ROM, FD) and delivered by a manager of the medical image central management server apparatus  100 , or is delivered via the network  1 . Thus, the A-hospital  21  and B-hospital  22  are permitted to register and receive medical images via the network  1 . It should be noted that by the symbol “/” is meant “and” (α/β means α and β). 
   The C-hospital  23  has entered into a contract to register as an image-registering subscriber of the medical image central management server apparatus  100 . It acts as image-registering subscriber by running on its terminal an image-registering subscriber program. This program is recorded on a storage medium and delivered by the manager of the medical image central management server apparatus  100 , or is delivered via the network  1 . Thus, the C-hospital  23  is permitted to register medical images via the network  1 . 
   The D-hospital  24 , E-hospital  25 , SR1-individual  31  and SR2-individual  32  have entered into contracts to register as image-receiving subscribers of the medical image central management server apparatus  100 . They act as image-receiving subscribers by running on their terminals an image-receiving subscriber program. This program is recorded on a storage medium and delivered by the manager of the medical image central management server apparatus  100 , or is delivered via the network  1 . Thus, the D-hospital  24 , E-hospital  25 , SR1-individual  31  and SR2-individual  32  are permitted to receive medical images via the network  1 . 
   The manager of the medical image central management server apparatus  100  concludes separate contracts with the individual image-registering subscribers and image-receiving subscribers, by which the image-registering subscribers are permitted to register medical images they own, and the image-receiving subscribers are permitted to obtain delivery of medical images on request. As a result of these contracts, the subscribers do not (have no need to) conclude contracts with one another. The medical image central management server apparatus  100  performs database registration of medical images owned by the image-registering subscribers via the network  1 , and transfers medical images via the network  1  in response to delivery requests from the image-receiving subscribers. The server apparatus  100  also performs security management. 
   The manager of the medical image central management server apparatus  100  keeps subscriber information. The creation/updating of the subscriber information is performed as follows: 
   (1) A new subscriber makes a contract with the manager, and receives a storage medium containing a program corresponding to the type of contract. Alternatively, the new subscriber downloads the program via the network  1 . 
   (2) When the new subscriber installs the program and runs the program the first time, the program automatically accesses the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network  1  and requests it to update the subscriber information. The medical image central management server apparatus  100  then adds the new subscriber to the subscriber information. 
   (3) When a subscriber cancels its contract, the medical image central management server apparatus  100  deletes the subscriber from the subscriber information. 
   The manager receives a subscription fee upon making a contract. The manager also receives a management fee regularly or irregularly for services such as maintenance and update of the subscriber information. Furthermore, the manager markets the aforementioned programs. In addition, the manager receives a registration fee from each image-registering subscriber that is proportional to the storage capacity used to register the subscriber&#39;s medical images. (A storage capacity that varies with the registration fee paid can be pre-allocated and the image-registering subscriber be informed of the allocated capacity and the capacity in use, or a registration fee can be billed depending on the storage capacity in use.) Further, the manager receives a delivery fee from the image-receiving subscriber depending on the number of medical image deliveries. 
     FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing processing for registering a medical image in the medical image database  101  in the medical image central management server apparatus  100  by an image-registering subscriber. The flow on the left is for the image-registering subscriber (assuming the image-registering subscriber to be the A-hospital  21 ). The flow on the right is for the medical image central management server apparatus  100 . 
   In Step a 1 , the A-hospital  21  sends a request for registration of a medical image (any one of MRI, CT, X-ray images) to the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network  1 . The medical image may be a clinical image for diagnosis on a patient, or a sample image for medical education. 
   In Step s 1 , the medical image central management server apparatus  100  receives the medical image registration request. 
   In Step s 2 , the security management section  10 D of the medical image central management server apparatus  100  checks the legitimacy of the medical image registration request using an authentication technique etc., and if it is illegitimate, the process goes to Step s 3 ; otherwise to Step s 4 . The check of the legitimacy uses a known legitimacy check method for communication line connection, such as a check on a network address or a telephone number, a check on a password, or a check on an ID card. Moreover, a charge billing screen (not shown) is displayed on the terminal of the A-hospital  21  to bill a connect charge, and if an operator at the A-hospital  21  performs an operation on the charge billing screen for making payment via a direct deposit from a bank account, via a credit card or a payment agency service, the request is regarded as legitimate; otherwise as illegitimate. 
   In Step s 3 , the communication line is disconnected. 
   In Step s 4 , the medical image central management server apparatus  100  sends a request for the medical image to the A-hospital  21  via the network  1 . 
   In Step a 2 , the A-hospital receives the medical image request. 
   In Step a 3 , the A-hospital sends the medical image (including image identifier information) to be registered to the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network  1 . The image identifier information may be an image ID, or combined information of a patient ID, an imaging date, an apparatus ID of a medical image diagnosis apparatus or the like. At this time, data obtained by compressing the data size of the medical image by a reversible method of compression may be sent to reduce the data transmission time. The method of compression is, for example, reversible JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compression. Moreover, the latest registered image may be temporarily stored on a local storage device (such as a hard disk or memory) as a precaution against a sudden failure of the network  1  or medical image central management server apparatus  100 . 
   In Step s 5 , the medical image central management server apparatus  100  receives the medical image. If the medical image data is compressed, the data is decompressed into the original data at the data compression/decompression section  10 E. 
   In Step s 6 , the medical image database management section  10 G in the medical image central management server apparatus  100  registers the medical image in the medical image database  101 . 
   The registration processing in the medical image database  101  is then terminated. 
     FIG. 3  is an exemplary diagram showing the registered contents in the medical image database  101  after the registration processing of  FIG. 2 . 
   In the column designated “Registrant”, the A-hospital, B-hospital, C-hospital, . . . are registered, for example, as the registrants of medical images. The registrant may be received at Step a 5  in  FIG. 2 , or may be identified based on the apparatus ID of the medical image diagnosis apparatus or the like. 
   In the column designated “Patient ID”, A12345, B22716, B23857, . . . are registered, for example, as the patient IDs. 
   In the column designated “Imaging Date”, 3-23-2000 10:35, 3-23-2000 11:47, 3-28-2000 13:21, . . . are registered, for example, as the imaging dates of the medical images. 
   In the column designated “Apparatus ID”, A_MRI# 2 , A_MRI# 1 , A_CT# 1 , . . . are registered, for example, as the apparatus IDs of the medical image diagnosis apparatuses. 
   In the column designated “Image Data”, 1110010100, 1101001000, 1111010011, . . . are registered, for example, as the image data of the medical images. 
   It should be noted that the registered contents in the medical image database  101  undergo backup upon update or regularly by the control from the backup control section  10 F. 
     FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing processing for delivering a medical image from the medical image central management server apparatus  100 . The flow on the left is for the image-receiving subscriber (assuming the image-receiving subscriber to be the A-hospital  21 ). The flow on the right is for the medical image central management server apparatus  100 . 
   In Step a 11 , the A-hospital sends a request for delivery of a medical image to the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network  1 . 
   In Step s 11 , the medical image central management server apparatus  100  receives the medical image delivery request. 
   In Step s 12 , the security management section  10 D in the medical image central management server apparatus  100  checks the legitimacy of the medical image delivery request, and if the request is illegitimate, the process goes to Step s 13 ; otherwise to Step s 14 . 
   In Step s 13 , the communication line is disconnected. 
   In Step s 14 , the medical image central management server apparatus  100  sends a request for image identifier information to the A-hospital  21  via the network  1 . 
   In Step a 12 , the A-hospital  21  receives the image identifier information request. 
   In Step a 13 , the A-hospital  21  sends image identifier information to the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network  1 . 
   In Step s 15 , the medical image central management server apparatus  100  receives the image identifier information. 
   In Step s 16 , the medical image database management section  10 G in the medical image central management server apparatus  100  reads the medical image corresponding to the image identifier information from the medical image database  101 . 
   In Step s 17 , the medical image central management server apparatus  100  sends the read-out medical image to the A-hospital  21  via the network  1 . The data compression/decompression section  10 E may send data obtained by compressing the data size of the medical image by a reversible method of compression. 
   In Step a 14 , the A-hospital  21  receives the medical image. If the medical image data is compressed, the data is decompressed into the original data. 
   In Step a 15 , the A-hospital  21  displays the received medical image on a screen. The latest displayed image may be temporarily stored on a local storage device as a precaution against a sudden failure of the network  1  or medical image central management server apparatus  100 . 
   The medical image delivery processing is then terminated. 
     FIG. 5  is an exemplary diagram showing a delivery-requested image specifying screen G 1  for specifying an image requested for delivery on a terminal at the A-hospital  21 . The screen is displayed by, for example, inputting a patient ID and then clicking “Display List”. The data used for displaying the imaging date, image type, apparatus ID, site, comment and thumbnail may be stored on a local hard disk in the A-hospital  21 , or may be received from the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network  1  (in the latter case, the necessary data is previously stored in the medical image database  101 ). Since the thumbnail can be displayed in small data size, a multiplicity of thumbnails can be stored even in a hard disk of a small capacity. 
   The operator selects a delivery specification frame corresponding to the medical image whose delivery is desired, for example, an MR image having an imaging date of [3-23-2000 11:47], by a mouse etc., and then selects “Request Delivery”. Then, a delivery request is sent (see Step a 11  in  FIG. 4 ), subsequently image identifier information corresponding to the specified image is sent (see Step a 13  in  FIG. 14 ), and a medical image delivered from the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network  1  can be received (see Step a 14  in  FIG. 4 ). If “Cancel” is selected before selecting “Request Delivery”, the image specification is canceled. 
   According to the medical image service system  1000  of the first embodiment, since medical images obtained by the hospitals are registered in the medical image database  101  in the medical image central management server apparatus  100  and are centrally managed, the problem of restricted storage capacity is substantially eliminated, and a large number of medical images taken in the past can be efficiently accumulated. 
   Moreover, since medical images can be shared among the hospitals, the system is capable of dealing with, for example, cases in which a physician observes a medical image at a location other than the installation site of an MRI apparatus; in which a patient transfers to another hospital and medical images for the patient are provided to a physician at the new hospital; and in which an individual patient desires to view his/her medical images on a personal computer terminal or the like (however, the individual patient must directly or indirectly enter into a contract with the manager of the medical image central management server apparatus  100 ). 
   Furthermore, since a backup of the medical images is made by the medical image central management server apparatus  100 , the work of the individual hospitals separately preparing backups is eliminated. 
   SECOND EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system  2000  in accordance with a second embodiment. 
   A terminal  211  of an image-receiving subscriber (assumed to be an A-hospital  21 ) sends to its associated hard copy device  212  format information defining the frame position, image size and the like of a medical image to be printed on a film. It should be noted that the format information contains image identifier information for identifying the medical image for each frame. The hard copy device  212  is, for example, a multi-format camera or a laser imager. 
   Upon receiving the format information, the hard copy device  212  sends a request for delivery of the medical image corresponding to the image identifier information to the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network, and receives the medical image. Then the hard copy device  212  prints the medical image in the area corresponding to the frame position and the image size. 
   According to the medical image service system  2000  of the second embodiment, when the terminal  211  sends format information to the hard copy device  212 , the device  212  obtains delivery of a medical image from the medical image central management server apparatus  100  via the network  1  and prints the medical image on a film. The terminal  211  can therefore be released from the processing for the hard-copy production and return to other processing after a short time period. 
   THIRD EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing processing for registering a medical image in a medical image service system in accordance with a third embodiment. The flow on the left is for the image-registering subscriber. The flow on the right is for the medical image central management server apparatus  200  (corresponding to  100  in  FIG. 1 ). 
   Steps a 1 –a 3  are the same as the processing described with reference to  FIG. 2 , and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. 
   Steps s 1 –s 5  are the same as the processing described with reference to  FIG. 2 , and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. 
   In Step s 55 , the medical image central management server apparatus  200  sends a request for the imaging conditions of the medical image registered in the medical image database  101  to the A-hospital  21  via the network  1 . 
   In Step a 34 , the A-hospital  21  receives the imaging condition request. 
   In Step a 35 , the A-hospital  21  sends the imaging conditions to the medical image central management server apparatus  200  via the network  1 . 
   In Step s 56 , the medical image central management server apparatus  200  receives the imaging conditions. 
   In Step s 57 , the medical image database management section  10 G (see  FIG. 1 ) in the medical image central management server apparatus  200  registers the imaging conditions in a medical image database  201  (corresponding to  101  in  FIG. 1 ). 
   The registration processing on the medical image database  201  is then completed. 
     FIG. 8  is an exemplary diagram showing the registered contents in the medical image database  201  after the registration processing of  FIG. 7 . 
   The registered contents in the columns designated “Registrant”, “Patient ID”, “Imaging Date”, “Apparatus ID” and “Image Data” are the same as those of the medical image database  101  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   In the column designated “Imaging Condition”, imaging conditions of the medical images are registered. For example, for an MR image, TR (repetition time)=2400, TE (echo time)=80 and the like are registered; for a CT image, p (helical pitch)=3 and the like are registered; and for an X-ray image, mAs (tube current)=26 and the like are registered. 
     FIG. 9  is a flow chart showing processing for delivering a medical image and imaging conditions from the medical image central management server apparatus  200  to an image-receiving subscriber. The flow on the left is for the image-receiving subscriber. The flow on the right is for the medical image central management server apparatus  200 . 
   The processing in Steps a 11 –a 15  are the same as those described with reference to  FIG. 4 , and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. 
   Steps s 11 –s 17  are the same as the processing described with reference to  FIG. 4 , and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted. 
   In Step s 156 , the A-hospital  21  sends a request for imaging conditions to the medical image central management server apparatus  200  via the network. 
   In Step s 178 , the medical image central management server apparatus  200  receives the imaging condition request. 
   In Step s 179 , the medical image database management section  10 G in the medical image central management server apparatus  200  reads from the medical image database  201  imaging conditions corresponding to the medical image delivered to the A-hospital  21 . 
   In Step s 180 , the medical image central management server apparatus  200  sends the imaging conditions to the A-hospital  21  via the network  1 . 
   In Step s 157 , the A-hospital receives the imaging conditions. 
   In Step s 158 , the received imaging conditions are set in a medical image diagnosis apparatus. For example, if TR=2400 and TE=80 are sent as imaging conditions for an MR image, these conditions are set in an MRI apparatus. Thus, the imaging conditions do not need to be reset, and a subject can be scanned under the same imaging conditions as in the past. 
   The processing for delivering a medical image and imaging conditions is then terminated. 
   According to the medical image service system of the third embodiment, since imaging conditions are sent by the medical image central management server apparatus  200  to the delivery destination of the medical image (which may be either the hospital that took the medical image or another hospital) via the network  1 , imaging under the same imaging conditions as in the past can be performed without need for resetting. 
   FOURTH EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a medical software service system  4000  in accordance with a fourth embodiment. 
   The medical software service system  4000  comprises a network  1  such as the Internet, a LAN or WAN, an A-hospital  21 , B-hospital  22 , C-hospital  23 , D-hospital  24 , and a vendor  60  that develops medical software, and a medical software central management server apparatus  400 , all connected to the network  1 . 
   The medical software central management server apparatus  400  comprises a communication section  10 A, an input section  10 B, an output section  10 C, a security management section  10 D, a medical software database management section  10 H and a medical software database  401 , and operates under the control of medical software central management program. 
   When the network  1  is the Internet, a non-subscriber  50  is also connected to the network  1 . The non-subscriber  50  is a terminal that has not concluded a contract to use the medical software central management server apparatus  400 . 
   In addition, it is preferred to use an SSL or the like in the interest of security. 
   Each of the A-hospital  21 , B-hospital  22 , C-hospital  23  and D-hospital  24  has entered into a contract to register as a software-executing subscriber permitted to run medical software (for example, an application program defining a scan algorithm) registered in the database in the medical software central management server apparatus  400 . It acts as a software-executing subscriber by running on its terminal a software-executing subscriber program. This program is recorded on a storage medium (such as a CD-ROM, FD) and delivered by a manager of the medical software central management server apparatus  400 , or is delivered via the network  1 . Thus, the A-hospital  21 , B-hospital  22 , C-hospital  23  and D-hospital  24  are permitted to read medical software via the network  1  and run the medical software. 
     FIG. 11  is an exemplary diagram showing the registered contents of the medical software database  401 . 
   In the column designated “Installation Site”, A-hospital, B-hospital, C-hospital . . . are registered, for example, as the installation sites of medical image diagnosis apparatuses that use medical software. 
   In the column designated “Update Date”, 3-23-2000 3:35, 3-23-2000 1:47, 3-28-2000 3:21, . . . are registered, for example, as the latest dates of updates for medical software. 
   In the column designated “Apparatus ID”, A_MRI# 2 , A_MRI# 1 , A_CT# 1 , . . . are registered, for example, as the apparatus IDs of medical image diagnosis apparatuses. 
   In the column designated “Medical Software ID”, IDs pointing to medical software stored in the medical software storage section  401 S, for example, GEYMS_MR_SYSTEM_VER5.0, GEYMS_CT_SYSTEM_VER7.3, . . . are registered. 
   The operation of the medical software service system  4000  of  FIG. 10  will now be described. 
   When the vendor  60  has developed new medical software or upgraded existing medical software, it registers the medical software in the medical software database  401  in the medical software central management server apparatus  400  via the network  1 . Specifically, the object medical software is stored in the medical software storage section  401 S and the contents in the columns of  FIG. 11  are newly registered or updated. It should be noted that the security management section  10 D in the medical software central management server apparatus  400  comprises the function of preventing illegitimate registration by the non-subscriber  50 . 
   In performing imaging by a medical image diagnosis apparatus, the A-hospital  21 , B-hospital  22 , C-hospital  23  and D-hospital  24  access the medical software central management server apparatus  400  via the network  1 , read out medical software registered on the medical software database  401 , and run the medical software. It should be noted that the security management section  10 D in the medical software central management server apparatus  400  comprises the function of preventing illegitimate running of the software by the non-subscriber  50 . 
   According to the medical software service system  4000  of the fourth embodiment, since the medical image diagnosis apparatus in each hospital reads out medical software registered on the medical software database  401  in the medical software central management server apparatus  400  via the network  1  and runs the medical software, immediate utilization of the latest medical software is possible at all times without need for troublesome work. 
   It should be noted that instead of directly running medical software stored in the medical software storage section  401 S on a medical image diagnosis apparatus in a hospital, the medical software may be first installed in a local storage device and run. 
   Moreover, the medical software may be run in the medical software central management server apparatus  400  and the result may be delivered to a medical image diagnosis apparatus. 
   Furthermore, the medical software may be a product version that has been formally released, or may be a sample version released for trial. (By running the sample version, an evaluation can be made as to whether the software should be formally introduced.) 
   FIFTH EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system  5000  in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
   The medical image service system  5000  comprises a network  1 , an A-hospital  51 , B-hospital  52 , C-hospital  53 , D-hospital  54 , E-hospital  55 , and an SR1-individual  61  and SR2-individual  62 , and an image processing server apparatus  500 , all connected to the network  1 . 
   When the network  1  is the Internet, a non-subscriber  50  is also connected to the network  1 . The non-subscriber  50  is a terminal that has not concluded a contract to use the image processing server apparatus  500 . 
   In addition, it is preferred to use an SSL or the like in the interest of security. 
   In the A-hospital  51 , MRI apparatuses (A_MRI# 1 , A_MRI# 2 ), a CT apparatus (A_CT# 1 ) and an X-ray imaging apparatus (A_X# 1 ) are installed. 
   In the B-hospital  52 , an MRI apparatus (B_MRI# 1 ) is installed. 
   In the C-hospital  53 , an MRI apparatus (C_MRI# 1 ) and a CT apparatus (C_CT# 1 ) are installed. 
   In the D-hospital  54 , MRI apparatuses (D_MRI# 1 , D_MRI# 2 , D_MRI# 3 ) are installed. 
   Moreover, at least one of ultrasound diagnosis, PET and CR apparatuses may be installed instead of, or in addition to, the aforementioned apparatuses in any hospital. 
   The image processing server apparatus  500  comprises a communication section  10 A, an input section  10 B, an output section  10 C, a security management section  10 D and an image processing section  501 , and operates under the control of an image processing program. 
   The A-hospital  51  and B-hospital  52  have entered into contracts to register as image-sending/receiving subscribers permitted to send/receive medical images. They act as image-sending/receiving subscribers by running on their terminals an image-sending/receiving subscriber program. This program is recorded on a storage medium (such as a CD-ROM, FD) and delivered by a manager of the image processing server apparatus  500 , or is delivered via the network  1 . Thus, the A-hospital  51  and B-hospital  52  are permitted to send and receive medical images via the network  1 . 
   The C-hospital  53  has entered into a contract to register as an image-sending subscriber of the image processing server apparatus  500 . It acts as an image-sending subscriber by running on its terminals an image-sending subscriber program. This program is recorded on a storage medium and delivered by the manager of the image processing server apparatus  500 , or is delivered via the network  1 . Thus, the C-hospital  53  is permitted to send medical images via the network  1 . 
   The D-hospital  54 , E-hospital  55 , SR1-individual  61  and SR2-individual  62  have entered into contracts to register as image-receiving subscribers of the image processing server apparatus  500 . They act as image-receiving subscribers by running on their terminals an image-receiving subscriber program. This program is recorded on a storage medium and delivered by the manager of the image processing server apparatus  500 , or is delivered via the network  1 . Thus, the D-hospital  54 , E-hospital  55 , SR1-individual  61  and SR2-individual  62  are permitted to receive medical images via the network  1 . 
   The manager of the image processing server apparatus  500  concludes separate contracts with the individual image-sending subscribers and image-receiving subscribers, by which the image-sending subscribers (including image-sending/receiving subscribers) are permitted to apply image processing to medical images they send, and the medical images subjected the image processing are sent to the image-receiving subscribers (including the image-sending/receiving subscribers). As a result of these contracts, the subscribers do not (have no need to) conclude contracts with one another. The image processing server apparatus  500  applies image processing to medical images sent by the image-sending subscribers and sends the medical images subjected to the image processing to the image-receiving subscribers via the network  1 . The image processing server apparatus  500  also performs security management. The image processing is, for example, image filtering processing such as smoothing, differentiation, Laplacian, edge detection and band pass, or projection processing such as addition, subtraction and MIP (maximum intensity projection). 
   Moreover, the manager receives any one of a fixed fee, a volume fee or a combination thereof from each subscriber. For example, the manager receives a subscription fee upon making a contract. Moreover, the manager also receives a management fee regularly or irregularly for services such as maintenance and update of the subscriber information. Furthermore, the manager markets the aforementioned programs. In addition, the manager receives a fee from the subscriber that is proportional to the volume of the medical images (the number of medical images or the data size etc.) subjected to image processing or the number of image processing sessions or the image processing time. 
     FIG. 13  is a flow chart showing processing for sending a medical image to the medical image server apparatus  500  and receiving the medical image subjected to the image processing, by an image-sending/receiving subscriber. The flow on the left is for the image-sending/receiving subscriber (assuming the image-sending/receiving subscriber to be the A-hospital  51 ). The flow on the right is for the image processing server apparatus  500 . 
   In Step a 51 , the A-hospital  51  (any one of the MRI, CT or X-ray imaging apparatuses) sends an image processing request Q containing image data of a medical image (any one of MRI, CT or X-ray images) to the image processing server apparatus  500  via the network  1 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the image processing request Q consists of a header portion H 1  (a destination Ha, a sender Hb, an image processing request command Hc and an image processing type Hd) and image data D 1 . In this example, the destination Ha is the address of the image processing server apparatus  500 . The sender Hb is the address of the A-hospital  51 . The image processing request command Hc and the image processing type Hd are bit sequences for requesting, for example, MIP processing. The image data D 1  is that, for example, of an MRI image. 
   In Step s 51 , the image processing server apparatus  500  receives the image processing request Q. 
   In Step s 52 , the security management section  10 D in the image processing server apparatus  500  checks the legitimacy of the medical image processing request using an authentication technique etc., and if it is illegitimate, the process goes to Step s 53 ; otherwise to Step s 54 . 
   In Step s 53 , the communication line is disconnected. 
   In Step s 54 , the image processing server apparatus  500  extracts the image data D 1  (see  FIG. 14 ) from the image processing request Q. Then, the image processing specified in the image processing type Hd is applied to the image data D 1  by the image processing section  501 . 
   In Step s 55 , the image processing server apparatus  500  informs the A-hospital  51  of the image processing result R via the network  1 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the image processing result R consists of a header portion H 2  (a destination Ha, a sender Hb and an image processing type done He) and image data D 2  subjected to the image processing. In this example, the destination Ha is the address of the A-hospital  51 . The sender Hb is the address of the image processing server apparatus  500 . The image processing type done He is a bit sequence representing the MIP processing. The image data D 2  is that subjected to the MIP processing. 
   In Step a 52 , the A-hospital  51  receives the image processing result R. 
   In Step a 53 , the A-hospital  51  extracts the image data D 2  from the image processing result R, and displays the medical image subjected to the image processing (in this example, an MRI image subjected to the MIP processing). 
   According to the medical image service system  5000  of the fifth embodiment, the image-sending/receiving subscriber (the A-hospital  51  or B-hospital  52 ) sends a medical image to the image processing server apparatus  500  via the network  1 , and receives the medical image subjected to image processing from the image processing server apparatus  500  and displays the medical image. Therefore, during the processing for imaging by a medical image diagnosis apparatus, the apparatus can receive and display a medical image subjected to image processing without sacrificing the processing speed of imaging. 
   Moreover, since the need for installing an image processing program on a medical image diagnosis apparatus is eliminated, the image-sending/receiving subscriber can easily obtain a medical image subjected to image processing. Thus, for example, a customer having a specific image processing program (which may be one purchased from the vendor of the image processing section  501  or from another vendor) installed on a medical image diagnosis apparatus can easily try or use other image processing. 
   Although in the fifth embodiment the medical image subjected to image processing is sent back to the image-sending/receiving subscriber that was the sender, the medical image subjected to image processing can instead be sent to an image-receiving subscriber other than the sender. For example, the image processing server apparatus  500  may apply image processing on a medical image sent by an image-sending subscriber (for example, the C-hospital  53 ), and send the result to an image-receiving subscriber (any one or all of the D-hospital  54 , E-hospital  55 , SR1-individual  61  and SR2-individual  62 ). However, in this case, a delivery destination must be included in the header portion H 1  of the image processing request Q (see  FIG. 14 ). 
   Moreover, the image processing server apparatus  500  may temporarily disconnect the communication line upon receiving the image processing request Q, establish communication with the image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-receiving subscriber after the image processing has been completed, and then send the medical image subjected to image processing. Alternatively, after the disconnection, the image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-receiving subscriber may send a request for the medical image subjected to image processing to the image processing server apparatus  500  and receive the medical image. In these cases, the use time of the network  1  can be decreased to reduce communication costs. 
   SIXTH EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 16  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system  6000  in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
   The medical image service system  6000  comprises image processing server apparatuses  500 - 1  and  500 - 2 . The configuration of the image processing server apparatuses  500 - 1  and  500 - 2  are the same as the image processing server apparatus  500  (see  FIG. 12 ) in accordance with the fifth embodiment. 
   In the medical image service system  6000 , image processing on medical images is shared between the image processing server apparatuses  500 - 1  and  500 - 2 . For example, when image processing is performed on 200 medical images, the image processing on the first—100 th  images is performed by the image processing server apparatus  500 - 1 , and the image processing on the 101 st –200 th  images is performed by the image processing server apparatus  500 - 2 . The share of the processing may be decided by the sender (an image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-sending subscriber), or may be decided by the image processing server apparatus  500 - 1  or  500 - 2  which receives the image processing request Q depending on the load status or the like. 
   According to the medical image service system  6000  of the sixth embodiment, the processing efficiency can be improved by sharing the load between the image processing server apparatuses  500 - 1  and  500 - 2 . 
   SEVENTH EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing a medical image service system  7000  in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
   In the medical image service system  7000 , an image processing server apparatus  700  comprises a communication section  10 A, an input section  10 B, an output section  10 C, a security management section  10 D, a data compression/decompression section  10 E, a backup control section  10 F, an image processing section  501 , a medical image database management section  701 G and a medical image database  701 , and operates under the control of an image processing program and a medical image central management program. 
   In the medical image service system  7000 , medical images sent by an image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-sending subscriber are registered in the medical image database  701  in the image processing server apparatus  700  by database registration processing similar to that in the medical image service system  1000  in accordance with the first embodiment (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     FIG. 18  is a flow chart showing the processing when an image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-sending subscriber makes a request to the image processing server apparatus  700  for image processing on a medical image registered in the medical image database  701  and receipt of the medical image subjected to the image processing. The flow on the left is for the image-sending/receiving subscriber (assuming the image-sending/receiving subscriber to be the A-hospital  51 ). The flow on the right is for the image processing server apparatus  700 . 
   In Step a 71 , the A-hospital  51  sends an image processing request to the image processing server apparatus  700  via the network  1 . However, it should be noted that no image data D 1  (see  FIG. 14 ) is contained in the image processing request. 
   In Step s 71 , the image processing server apparatus  700  receives the image processing request. 
   In Step s 72 , the security management section  10 D in the image processing server apparatus  700  checks the legitimacy of the image processing request, and if the request is illegitimate, the process goes to Step s 73 ; otherwise to Step s 74 . 
   In Step s 73 , the communication line is disconnected. 
   In Step s 74 , the image processing server apparatus  700  sends to the A-hospital  51  via the network  1  an image identifier information request for requesting image identifier information for identifying the medical image to be subjected to image processing. 
   In Step a 72 , the A-hospital  51  receives the image identifier information request. 
   In Step a 73 , the A-hospital  51  sends image identifier information to the image processing server apparatus  700  via the network  1 . For example, similarly to the case described earlier with reference  FIG. 5 , there is sent image identifier information of an image selected from images displayed as thumbnails on the terminal in the A-hospital. 
   In Step s 75 , the image processing server apparatus  700  receives the image identifier information. 
   In Step s 76 , the medical image database management section  710 G in the image processing server apparatus  700  reads the medical image corresponding to the image identifier information from the medical image database  701 . 
   In Step s 77 , the image processing server apparatus  700  applies to the medical image the image processing specified by the image processing type Hd (see  FIG. 14 ) in the image processing request. 
   In Step s 78 , the image processing server apparatus  700  sends the image processing result R (see  FIG. 15 ) to the A-hospital  51  via the network  1 . The data compression/decompression section  10 E may send data obtained by compressing the data size by a reversible method of compression. 
   In Step a 74 , the A-hospital  51  receives the image processing result. If the medical image is compressed data, the data is decompressed into the original data at the data compression/decompression section  10 E. 
   In Step a 75 , the A-hospital extracts image data D 2  from the image processing result R, and displays the medical image subjected to the image processing. 
   According to the medical image service system  7000  of the seventh embodiment, since an image-sending/receiving subscriber or image-receiving subscriber requests image processing on a medical image registered in the medical image database  701  in the image processing server apparatus  700  and receives the medical image subjected to the image processing, the need for sending the original medical image each time image processing is to be performed is eliminated, thereby reducing the processing time. 
   Although an original medical image is registered in the medical image database  701  in the image processing server apparatus  700  in the seventh embodiment, a medical image subjected to image processing may be registered instead of, or in addition to, the original medical image. In this case, the image processing server apparatus  700  does not need to perform image processing upon receiving an image processing request, and therefore the image processing result R can be sent more quickly. The registry region for medical images may be provided in a storage device managed by a computer other than the image processing server apparatus  700 . 
   Moreover, the image processing server apparatus  700  may poll the image-sending/receiving subscribers or image-sending subscribers via the network  1  to collect medical images which may be requested for image processing, and register the medical images in the medical image database  701 . In this case, the work of the image-sending/receiving subscribers or image-sending subscribers for sending medical images for registration can be reduced. 
   Many widely different embodiments of the invention may be configured without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the specification, except as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8