Patent Description:
As medical apparatuses for obtaining medical images about bodies, an ultrasonic apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, an x-ray apparatus, etc. are widely used. Due to reasons, such as the resolution of images, the sizes of apparatuses, etc., these apparatuses may photograph body parts or the entire bodies. Also, these apparatuses may photograph the entire body at a time, or photograph body parts by several times and then synthesize the photographed images to obtain a synthesized image about the entire body.

A medical apparatus for obtaining medical images about bodies includes a display for displaying photographed images for users, for example, doctors. The display is connected to a main body including a control panel for enabling users to input commands, a controller, etc..

Lately, touch screen type displays to enable users to input commands directly through the displays are used. When pressure is applied to a display rotatably connected to a main body, the display may vibrate. When the display vibrates, a user's view may sense wobble of the display, which deteriorates user convenience. For example, the publication <CIT> discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a touch screen apparatus with a tilting hinge assembly, wherein the touch screen apparatus is provided as an input apparatus and a display apparatus, and wherein the tilting hinge assembly allows the touch screen apparatus to be rotationally coupled to an upper end portion of a body of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Further, the publication <CIT> discloses a support for a touch screen computing device having a keyboard part hingedly coupled to a touch-screen display part.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a medical apparatus including a display device capable of preventing vibrations that are generated by pressure applied from outside.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a method for operating a medical apparatus capable of sensing a magnitude of pressure applied from outside and minimizing (minimizing up to a small vibration level that a user cannot recognize) a vibration of a display device, the vibration generated by the pressure applied from the outside according to the magnitude of the applied pressure.

The medical apparatus is defined in claim <NUM>. This medical apparatus includes: a main body including an inputter configured to receive a user command; a display device positioned to be rotatable on one axis with respect to the main body, and extending along one plane; a locking device limiting a rotation of the display device with respect to the main body when pressure being smaller than first pressure is applied to the display device along a direction that is perpendicular to one surface of the display device; and an attenuator attenuating a vibration of the display device with respect to the main body when pressure being smaller than the first pressure is applied to the display device along the direction that is perpendicular to the one surface of the display device.

The medical apparatus may further include a sensor configured to sense pressure applied to the display device along the direction that is perpendicular to the one surface of the display device.

The medical apparatus may further include a controller configured to control operations of the attenuator and the locking device according to a magnitude of the pressure sensed by the sensor.

A plurality of attenuators may be provided, and the plurality of attenuators may be spaced from each other with a preset distance from the locking device.

The attenuator may include a first attenuator and a second attenuator, and the first attenuator and the second attenuator may be spaced from each other on an upper area of the display device.

The attenuator may include a third attenuator and a fourth attenuator, and the third attenuator and the fourth attenuator may be spaced from each other on a lower area of the display device.

The attenuator may further include: a first attenuating member positioned on the display device; and a second attenuating member positioned on the main body, and attached/detached to/from the first attenuating member.

The first attenuating member may be attached to the second attenuating member by a magnetic force.

Any one of the first attenuating member and the second attenuating member may include a permanent magnet, and the remaining one of the first attenuating member and the second attenuating member may include a magnetic material.

Any one of the first attenuating member and the second attenuating member may include a permanent magnet.

The medical apparatus may further include: a first current supplier supplying current to the permanent magnet; and a first switch turning on/off a connection between the first current supplier and the permanent magnet according to a magnitude of pressure applied to the display device.

The locking device further includes: a first locking member positioned on the display device; and a second locking member positioned on the main body, and attached/detached to/from the first locking member.

When pressure being smaller than the first pressure is applied to the display device, the first locking member is attached to the second locking member and a rotation of the display device with respect to the main body is limited, and, when pressure being greater than or equal to the first pressure is applied to the display device, the first locking member is separated from the second locking member and the display device may rotate with respect to the main body.

The first locking member may be attached to the second locking member by a magnetic force.

Any one of the first locking member and the second locking member may include a permanent magnet, and the remaining one of the first locking member and the second locking member may include a magnetic material.

Any one of the first locking member and the second locking member may include a permanent magnet.

The medical apparatus may further include: a second current supplier supplying current to the permanent magnet; and a second switch turning on/off a connection between the second current supplier and the permanent magnet according to a magnitude of pressure applied to the display device.

The method for operating a medical apparatus including a main body and a display device hinge-coupled with the main body is defined in claim <NUM>. This method includes: sensing pressure applied to the display device along a direction that is perpendicular to one surface of the display device, when an inputter receives a user input for controlling the medical apparatus, wherein the user input includes an input of touching a touch screen; setting, when pressure being smaller than a preset first pressure is applied to the display device, a mode of the display device to a use state in which a first locking member is attached to a second locking member and a rotation of the display device with respect to the main body is limited; setting, when pressure being greater than or equal to the preset first pressure is applied to the display device, a mode of the display device to a use state in which the first locking member is separated from the second locking member and the display device is rotatable with respect to the main body; and attenuating, when the mode of the display device is set to the use state, a vibration of the display device with respect to the main body.

The attenuating of the vibration of the display device may include attaching a first attenuating member positioned on the display device to a second attenuating member positioned on the main body.

A medical apparatus according to an example may suppress vibrations (wobble, noise, etc.) that may be generated in a display device by pressure applied from outside, thereby improving the quality of the apparatus.

A medical apparatus according to an example may suppress or minimize vibrations to a level which a user cannot recognize, thereby reducing the fatigue in use.

A medical apparatus according to an example may sense a magnitude of pressure applied from outside, and minimize vibrations of a display device, which are generated by the pressure applied from the outside, according to the magnitude of the pressure applied from the outside.

The embodiments of the disclosure may be easily understood by combining the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings, and reference numerals mean structural elements.

The present specification will describe the principles of embodiments of the disclosure and disclose the embodiments to clarify the scope of rights of the claims of the disclosure and for those skilled in the technical art to which the embodiments of the disclosure belong to embody the embodiments of the disclosure. The disclosed embodiments may be implemented in various forms.

Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will refer to like components. The present specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and descriptions about content being general in the technical art to which the embodiments of the disclosure belong or overlapping content between the embodiments will be omitted. As used herein, the terms "part" or "portion" may be implemented as software or hardware, and according to embodiments, a plurality of "parts" or "portions" may be implemented as a single unit or element, or a single "part" or "portion" may include a plurality of units or elements. Hereinafter, the embodiments of the disclosure and an operation principle of the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical apparatus according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of a medical apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a medical apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may include an image obtainer <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, an image processor <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, a communicator <NUM>, an inputter <NUM>, and a display device <NUM>. In this case, for example, the medical apparatus <NUM> may include a main body <NUM> for accommodating the controller <NUM>, the image processor <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, the storage device <NUM>, the communicator <NUM>, and the inputter <NUM>.

The image obtainer <NUM> may be an image obtaining apparatus for obtaining medical images about a subject. For example, the image obtainer <NUM> may include an ultrasonic apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, and an x-ray apparatus, although not limited thereto. For example, the image obtainer <NUM> may be integrated into the medical apparatus <NUM>, or implemented as a separation type connected to the medical apparatus <NUM> in a wired or wireless manner. Also, the medical apparatus <NUM> may include a single or plurality of image obtainers <NUM> according to an implementation type.

The controller <NUM> may control overall operations of the medical apparatus <NUM> and signal flow between internal components of the medical apparatus <NUM>. The controller <NUM> according to an example may include a memory storing programs or data for performing functions of the medical apparatus <NUM>, and a processor for processing the programs or data. Also, the controller <NUM> may control operations of an attenuator <NUM> and a locking device <NUM> according to a magnitude of pressure sensed by the sensor <NUM> which will be described below.

The image processor <NUM> may generate an image by using image data generated by the image obtainer <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> may be a sensor for sensing external pressure applied to the display device <NUM>. For example, the sensor <NUM> may sense pressure perpendicularly applied to a surface of a display <NUM> provided in the display device <NUM>. For example, a user may apply pressure for rotating the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM>. At this time, pressure may be applied to the display device <NUM> in the same direction as that of preset first pressure F<NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may sense a magnitude of the pressure having the same direction as that of the first pressure F<NUM> (see <FIG>) and applied to the display device <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> according to an example may be positioned in a hinge <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, to sense pressure applied to the display device <NUM>. However, a location of the sensor <NUM> according to the disclosure is not limited to the hinge <NUM>, and the sensor <NUM> according to an example may be positioned at an arbitrary area of the display device <NUM> where a user applies pressure to the display device <NUM>. For example, a touch sensor positioned inside the display <NUM> of the display device <NUM> may be used as the sensor <NUM> according to an embodiment for sensing pressure.

The storage device <NUM> may store various data or programs for driving and controlling the medical apparatus <NUM> and the first pressure F<NUM> which is a reference pressure value for rotating the display device <NUM>.

The medical apparatus <NUM> according to an example may include the communicator <NUM>, and may be connected to an external device (for example, a server or a portable device (a smart phone, a tablet PC, a wearable device, etc.)) through the communicator <NUM>.

The communicator <NUM> may include one or more components for enabling communications with an external device, and for example, the communicator <NUM> may include at least one of a short range communication module, a wired communication module, and a wireless communication module.

The communicator <NUM> may receive a control signal and data from an external device, transfer the received control signal to the controller <NUM>, and enable the controller <NUM> to control the medical apparatus <NUM> according to the received control signal.

The inputter <NUM> may receive a user input for controlling the medical apparatus <NUM>. For example, the user input may include an input of operating a button, a key pad, a mouse, a track ball, a jog switch, a knop, etc., an input of touching a touch pad or a touch screen, a voice input, a motion input, a biometric information input (for example, iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, etc.), etc., although not limited thereto.

The display device <NUM> may display information that is processed by the medical apparatus <NUM>. For example, the display device <NUM> may display an image generated by the image processor <NUM>, or a graphic user interface (GUI) for requesting a user's input.

For example, the display device <NUM> may include at least one of a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three-dimensional (3D) display, and an electrophoretic display.

The display device <NUM> may include the display <NUM> for displaying medical images and a user interface, and a housing <NUM> forming an outer appearance of the display device <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be positioned on a front side of the display device <NUM>. The display device <NUM> according to an example may be tilted at a preset angle with respect to the main body <NUM>. The medical apparatus <NUM> according to an example may further include a connecting portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) connecting the display device <NUM> to the main body <NUM>. Hereinafter, a connection structure for connecting the display device <NUM> to the main body <NUM> by using the connecting portion <NUM>, a structure in which the display device <NUM> is tilted or vibrates with respect to the main body <NUM> according to a magnitude of pressure applied from outside, and a structure for minimizing such tilting or vibrations will be described.

<FIG> is a side view of a medical apparatus according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a block diagram of a connecting portion according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of a bracket which may be part of the medical apparatus according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of a display device which may be part of the medical apparatus according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of a hinge which may be part of the medical apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting portion <NUM> according to an example may be a connecting member positioned between the display device <NUM> and the main body <NUM> and connecting the display device <NUM> to the main body <NUM> such that the display device <NUM> is rotatable on one axis (X-axis) with respect to the main body <NUM>.

For example, the display device <NUM> may be positioned in a first state (hereinafter, referred to as a rotation state') in which the display device <NUM> rotates on one axis (X-axis) with respect to the main body <NUM> by external pressure, for example, pressure applied by a user. Also, the display device <NUM> may be positioned in a second state (hereinafter, referred to as a 'use state') in which a location of the display device <NUM> is fixed with respect to the main body <NUM>.

To implement the rotation state and the use state as described above, the connecting portion <NUM> according to an example may include the locking device <NUM>, the attenuator <NUM>, a first switch <NUM>, a second switch <NUM>, a first current supplier <NUM>, a second current supplier <NUM>, the hinge <NUM> (see <FIG>), a first case <NUM>, and a second case <NUM>.

The locking device <NUM> may be a rotation limiter for fixing a relative location of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM>. The locking device <NUM> includes a first locking member <NUM> positioned on a rear surface of the display device <NUM> and a second locking member <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM>. For example, the first locking member <NUM> may be fixed at a center portion of the display device <NUM>. The second locking member <NUM> may be fixed at a center portion of a bracket <NUM> provided in the main body <NUM>.

Also, for example, the first locking member <NUM> and the second locking member <NUM> may be provided in a shape of a flat plate with a preset area. Also, one or both of the first locking member <NUM> and the second locking member <NUM> may include a material with a magnetic force. For example, any one of the first locking member <NUM> and the second locking member <NUM> may include a permanent magnet, and the remaining one may include a magnet or a magnetic material capable of generating an attraction force with the permanent magnet, although not limited thereto. However, both the first locking member <NUM> and the second locking member <NUM> may include a permanent magnet, or any one of the first locking member <NUM> and the second locking member <NUM> may include a magnet while the remaining one may include a magnetic material.

According to an example, the first pressure F<NUM> applied to the display device <NUM> may be set, for example, in a range of <NUM> kgf to <NUM> kgf. In this case, the preset first pressure F<NUM> may be stored in the storage device <NUM>. When pressure being greater than/equal to the first pressure F<NUM> is applied to the display device <NUM> and the display device <NUM> rotates on one axis (X-axis) with respect to the main body <NUM>, that is, in a rotation state, the first locking member <NUM> may be separated from the second locking member <NUM>. Meanwhile, when pressure being smaller than the first pressure F<NUM> is applied to the display device <NUM> and the display device <NUM> is fixed with respect to the main body <NUM>, that is, in a use state, the first locking member <NUM> may be attached to the second locking member <NUM> by a magnetic force. Accordingly, a location of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> may be fixed.

The attenuator <NUM> may be an attenuating member for attenuating vibrations of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM>. The attenuator <NUM> according to an example may prevent an area of the display device <NUM> from wobbling by pressure applied from the outside, for example, pressure that may be generated by a user's touch input.

For example, when the display device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is simplified in a shape of a cantilever, the display device <NUM> may be a cantilever having mass m. In this case, when a unique modulus of elasticity of the display device <NUM> is set to E (Young's Modulus), a secondary moment of inertia for the shape of the display device <NUM> is set to I (Moment of inertia), a force caused by a user's touch input is set to f, a linear distance from the hinge <NUM> according to the user's touch input is set to L, and an attenuation coefficient of the attenuator <NUM> suppressing vibrations is set to c, a vibration motion equation of the display device <NUM> may be Equation <NUM> below.

Herein, X(t) may be a scale representing displacement of the display device <NUM> over time and called the term 'amplitude' in vibeology. A magnitude of vibration felt by a user may be in proportion to the amplitude. The motion equation is expressed with respect to the amplitude to obtain Equation <NUM>.

The medical apparatus <NUM> according to an example may include a vibration suppressing device for reducing the above-described amplitude, in other words, the attenuator <NUM> which is a structure for increasing an attenuation coefficient c.

The attenuator <NUM> according to an example may be provided as a plurality of pieces that are spaced from each other throughout an entire rear surface of the display device <NUM>. For example, the attenuator <NUM> may include first to fourth attenuators <NUM> to <NUM>, wherein a first attenuator <NUM> and a second attenuator <NUM> may be spaced from each other on an upper area of the display device <NUM> and a third attenuator <NUM> and a fourth attenuator <NUM> may be spaced from each other on a lower area of the display device <NUM>.

Also, the first to fourth attenuators <NUM> to <NUM> according to an example may be positioned above or below the locking device <NUM>. For example, when the locking device <NUM> is positioned at the center portion of the display device <NUM>, the first attenuator <NUM> and the third attenuator <NUM> may be positioned above the locking device <NUM>, and the second attenuator <NUM> and the fourth attenuator <NUM> may be positioned below the locking device <NUM>. Accordingly, even when a user's touch input is applied to an upper corner or a lower corner of the display <NUM> provided in the display device <NUM>, as well as when a user's touch input is applied to the center portion of the display <NUM>, vibrations of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> may be prevented, although not limited thereto.

However, four or more attenuators <NUM> may be provided to be spaced from each other throughout the entire area of the display device <NUM>, such as a right surface, a left surface, an upper corner, or a lower corner of the display device <NUM>. Accordingly, even when a user's touch input is applied to the entire area of the display <NUM> provided in the display device <NUM>, for example, the right or left surface of the display <NUM>, vibrations of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> may be prevented.

The first to fourth attenuators <NUM> to <NUM> according to an example may include, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, first attenuating members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> positioned on the rear surface of the display device <NUM>, and second attenuating members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM>. For example, the second attenuating members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be fixed on the bracket <NUM> provided in the main body <NUM>. The first attenuating members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the second attenuating members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> included in the first to fourth attenuators <NUM> to <NUM> may have the substantially same configuration, and therefore, the following description will be given based on the first attenuating member <NUM> and the second attenuating member <NUM> included in the first attenuator <NUM>.

The first attenuating member <NUM> and the second attenuating member <NUM> according to an example may be provided in a shape of a flat plate having a preset area. Also, one or both of the first attenuating member <NUM> and the second attenuating member <NUM> may include a material with a magnetic force. For example, any one of the first attenuating member <NUM> and the second attenuating member <NUM> may include a permanent magnet, and the remaining one may include a magnet or a magnetic material capable of generating an attraction force with the permanent magnet, although not limited thereto. However, both the first attenuating member <NUM> and the second attenuating member <NUM> may include a permanent magnet, or any one of the first attenuating member <NUM> and the second attenuating member <NUM> may include a magnet while the remaining one may include a magnetic material.

In the above-described embodiment, the attenuator <NUM> may include a magnet or a magnetic material, although not limited thereto. According to an example, the attenuator <NUM> may locate a buffer member between the first attenuating member <NUM> and the second attenuating member <NUM> to attenuate vibrations of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM>. Also, according to an example, the attenuator <NUM> may include a pneumatic cylinder and a ball plunger positioned between the main body <NUM> and the display device <NUM> to attenuate vibrations of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM>.

The hinge <NUM> may be a connecting member including a rotating shaft on which the display device <NUM> is rotatable with respect to the main body <NUM>. For example, the hinge <NUM> may be positioned in the main body <NUM>, more specifically, at a lower end of the bracket <NUM>. In this case, the sensor <NUM> may be attached to the hinge <NUM> to sense rotation pressure applied to the display device <NUM> from the outside.

The first case <NUM> and the second case <NUM> may be accommodating members capable of accommodating the locking device <NUM> and the attenuator <NUM>. For example, the first case <NUM> and the second case <NUM> may be fixed to the display device <NUM> and the main body <NUM>, respectively. Also, the first case <NUM> and the second case <NUM> may overlap with each other when the display device <NUM> rotates with respect to the main body <NUM>. Accordingly, the first case <NUM> and the second case <NUM> may not interfere with each other even when the display device <NUM> rotates with respect to the main body <NUM>, and accordingly, the display device <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the main body <NUM>.

As described above, the display device <NUM> may be positioned in the rotation state in which the display device <NUM> rotates on one axis (X-axis) with respect to the main body <NUM>, and in the use state in which a location of the display device <NUM> is fixed with respect to the main body <NUM>. The rotation state and the use state may be determined according to a magnitude of pressure applied to the display device <NUM> from the outside.

For example, the rotation state in which the display device <NUM> rotates on one axis (X-axis) with respect to the main body <NUM> may be a state in which the display device <NUM> needs to be tilted with respect to the main body <NUM>, and, in the rotation state, a relatively great force, for example, pressure being greater than/equal to the first pressure F<NUM> may be applied to rotate the display device <NUM>. Meanwhile, in the use state in which the location of the display device <NUM> needs to be fixed with respect to the main body <NUM>, a touch input (for example, pressure being smaller than the first pressure F<NUM>) for operating the display device <NUM> may be applied.

Hereinafter, an embodiment for controlling operations of the locking device <NUM> and the attenuator <NUM> by using the first switch <NUM>, the second switch <NUM>, the first current supplier <NUM>, and the second current supplier <NUM> according to a magnitude of pressure applied to the display device <NUM>, and implementing the rotation state and the use state for the display device <NUM> accordingly will be described in more detail.

<FIG> is a side view of a medical apparatus showing a rotation state according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a side view of a medical apparatus showing a use state according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a flowchart showing an operation method of a medical apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, a user may apply pressure F<NUM> for adjusting a tiling angle of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM>. At this time, pressure applied to the display device <NUM> to rotate the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> may be second pressure Fy2 that is perpendicular to one surface of the display <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. In the rotation state in which the display device <NUM> rotates with respect to the main body <NUM>, a magnitude of the second pressure Fy2 may be greater than/equal to the preset first pressure F<NUM>. According to an example, the second pressure Fy2 applied to the display device <NUM> may be greater than the preset first pressure F<NUM>. For example, a ratio Fy2/F<NUM> of the second pressure Fy2 to the first pressure F<NUM> may be greater than <NUM> and smaller than/equal to <NUM>. For example, the first pressure F<NUM> may be set in a range of <NUM> kgf to <NUM> kgf and stored in the storage device <NUM>. In this case, the second pressure Fy2 may be set in a range of <NUM> kgf to <NUM> kgf and stored in the storage device <NUM>, although not limited thereto. However, a magnitude of the second pressure Fy2 may be set in various ranges that are greater than a magnitude of the preset first pressure F<NUM>.

Meanwhile, referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, a user may apply pressure F<NUM> for inputting a touch input to the display device <NUM>. At this time, pressure applied to the display device <NUM> to rotate the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> may be third pressure Fy3 that is perpendicular to one surface of the display <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. In a fixed state in which the display device <NUM> is fixed with respect to the main body <NUM>, a magnitude of the third pressure Fy3 may be smaller than the preset first pressure F<NUM>. According to an example, the third pressure Fy3 applied to the display device <NUM> may be smaller than the preset first pressure F<NUM>. For example, a ratio Fy3/F<NUM> of the third pressure Fy3 to the first pressure F<NUM> may be greater than/equal to <NUM> and smaller than/equal to <NUM>. For example, when the first pressure F<NUM> is set in a range of <NUM> kgf to <NUM> kgf and stored in the storage device <NUM>, the third pressure Fy3 may be set in a range of <NUM> kgf to <NUM> kgf and stored in the storage device <NUM>, although not limited thereto. However, a magnitude of the third pressure Fy3 may be set in various ranges that are smaller than the preset first pressure F<NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, according to an example, when pressure is applied to the display device <NUM> form the outside, the sensor <NUM> may sense the pressure applied to the display device <NUM> (S110). For example, the pressure sensed by the sensor <NUM> may be pressure Fy2 or Fy3 that is perpendicular to one surface of the display <NUM> of the display device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Then, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a magnitude of the pressure Fy2 or Fy3 sensed by the sensor <NUM> is greater than/equal to or smaller than the preset first pressure F<NUM> (S120). According to an example, magnitudes of the first pressure F<NUM>, the second pressure Fy2, and the third pressure Fy3, based on which the use state and the rotation state of the display device <NUM> are determined, may have been set in advance and stored in the storage device <NUM>. For example, the magnitude of the first pressure F<NUM> may be greater than that of a user's touch input, for example, the third pressure Fy3 and smaller than that of pressure for rotating the display device <NUM> by a user, for example, the second pressure Fy2. For example, a ratio Fy2/F<NUM> of the second pressure Fy2 to the first pressure F<NUM> may be set to be greater than <NUM> and smaller than/equal to <NUM> and stored in the storage device <NUM>. For example, the ratio Fy3/F<NUM> of the third pressure Fy3 to the first pressure F<NUM> may be set to be greater than/equal to <NUM> and smaller than/equal to <NUM> and stored in the storage device <NUM>, although not limited thereto. However, the ratio Fy2/F<NUM> of the second pressure Fy2 to the first pressure F<NUM> and the ratio Fy3/F<NUM> of the third pressure Fy3 to the first pressure F<NUM> may change according to an environment.

Then, when the magnitude of the pressure Fy3 sensed by the sensor <NUM> is smaller than the first pressure F<NUM>, the display device <NUM> may set to the use state (S130). According to an example, when the third pressure Fy3 sensed by the sensor <NUM> is smaller than the first pressure F<NUM>, for example, when the ratio Fy3/F<NUM> of the third pressure Fy3 to the first pressure F<NUM> is greater than/equal to <NUM> and smaller than/equal to <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may apply a control signal for turning off the first switch <NUM>. The first current supplier <NUM> may supply no current to the attenuator <NUM>, more specifically, the first attenuating member <NUM> by the first switch <NUM> that has received an off signal from the controller <NUM>.

Also, the controller <NUM> may apply a control signal for turning off the second switch <NUM>. The second current supplier <NUM> may supply no current to the locking device <NUM>, more specifically, the first locking member <NUM> by the second switch <NUM> that has received an off signal from the controller <NUM>. When no current is supplied to the first locking member <NUM>, the first locking member <NUM> may maintain magnetism, and accordingly, the first locking member <NUM> may be maintained in a state in which the first locking member <NUM> is attached to the second locking member <NUM>. Because a state in which the first locking member <NUM> positioned on the display device <NUM> is attached to the second locking member <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM> is maintained, the display device <NUM> may be maintained in the use state.

Then, vibrations of the display device <NUM> may be attenuated by the attenuator <NUM> (S140). For example, when no current is supplied to the first attenuating member <NUM>, the first attenuating member <NUM> may have magnetism, and accordingly, the first attenuating member <NUM> may be attached to the second attenuating member <NUM>. Because the first attenuating member <NUM> positioned on the display device <NUM> is attached to the second attenuating member <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM>, the display device <NUM> may be prevented from vibrating even when pressure applied from the outside, for example, a user's touch input is applied. Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, even when a user's touch input is applied to the display device <NUM>, vibrations of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> may be minimized.

Then, when a magnitude of the second pressure Fy2 sensed by the sensor <NUM> is greater than or equal to the first pressure F<NUM>, for example, when a ratio Fy2/F<NUM> of the second pressure Fy2 to the first pressure F<NUM> is greater than <NUM> and smaller than/equal to <NUM>, the display device <NUM> may be set to the rotation state (S150). According to an example, when the pressure Fy2 sensed by the sensor <NUM> is greater than/equal to the first pressure F<NUM>, the controller <NUM> may apply a control signal for turning on the first switch <NUM>. The first current supplier <NUM> may supply current to the attenuator <NUM>, more specifically, the first attenuating member <NUM> by the first switch <NUM> that has received an on signal from the controller <NUM>.

For example, when current is supplied to the first attenuating member <NUM>, the magnetism of the first attenuating member <NUM> may disappear, and accordingly, the first attenuating member <NUM> may be separated from the second attenuating member <NUM>. As the first attenuating member <NUM> positioned on the display device <NUM> is separated from the second attenuating member <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM>, the display device <NUM> may change to the rotation state in which the display device <NUM> is freely rotatable with respect to the main body <NUM>.

Also, the controller <NUM> may apply a control signal for turning on the second switch <NUM>. The second current supplier <NUM> may supply current to the locking device <NUM>, more specifically, to the first locking member <NUM> by the second switch <NUM> that has received an on signal from the controller <NUM>.

When current is supplied to the first locking member <NUM>, the magnetism of the first locking member <NUM> may disappear, and accordingly, the first locking member <NUM> may be separated from the second locking member <NUM>. As the first locking member <NUM> positioned on the display device <NUM> is separated from the second locking member <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM>, the display device <NUM> may change to the rotation state in which the display device is freely rotatable with respect to the main body <NUM>.

Then, the display device <NUM> may rotate with respect to the main body <NUM> (S160). For example, as the first attenuating member <NUM> positioned on the display device <NUM> is separated from the second attenuating member <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM> and the first locking member <NUM> positioned on the display device <NUM> is separated from the second locking member <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM>, a constraint force of the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> may be released. Accordingly, a user may rotate the display device <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> with a small force, thereby securing user convenience.

<FIG> is a graph obtained by measuring displacement of a display device per unit time according to existence and nonexistence of an attenuator in a medical apparatus according to an embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, according to an embodiment, a user may apply pressure F<NUM> for inputting a touch input to the display device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the locking device <NUM> and the attenuator <NUM> may be provided, whereas, in a comparative example, only the locking device <NUM> may be provided.

At this time, pressure applied to the display device <NUM> may be third pressure Fy3 that is perpendicular to one surface of the display <NUM> of the display device <NUM>, a location at which the pressure is applied may be an upper end portion of the display device <NUM>, and the pressure may be applied one time. In this case, a force corresponding to the third pressure Fy3 may include a magnitude of <NUM> gf to <NUM> gf, which is used for a general touch input. Through an experiment (measurement), movement displacement of the upper end portion of the display device <NUM> was measured under a condition that unit time is <NUM> (<NUM>) and total measure time is <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in the comparative example in which the attenuator <NUM> is not positioned, a maximum displacement value of the upper end portion of the display device <NUM> was <NUM>. This is a displacement level in which a human can recognize wobble with the naked eye. In the embodiment in which the attenuator <NUM> is positioned, a maximum displacement value of the upper end portion of the display device <NUM> was <NUM>. This is a displacement level in which a human cannot recognize wobble with the naked eye. A simple comparison between the measured values shows that there is a displacement difference of about <NUM> times according to existence and nonexistence of the attenuator <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A medical apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) including an inputter (<NUM>) configured to receive a user input for controlling the medical apparatus (<NUM>), wherein the user input includes an input of touching a touch screen;
a display device (<NUM>) comprising the touch screen positioned to be rotatable on one axis with respect to the main body (<NUM>), and extending along one plane;
a locking device (<NUM>) configured to limit a rotation of the display device (<NUM>) with respect to the main body (<NUM>) when pressure being smaller than a preset first pressure is applied to the display device (<NUM>) along a direction that is perpendicular to one surface of the display device (<NUM>); and
characterized in that the medical device further comprises
an attenuator (<NUM>) configured to attenuate a vibration of the display device (<NUM>) with respect to the main body (<NUM>) when pressure being smaller than the first pressure is applied to the display device (<NUM>) along the direction that is perpendicular to the one surface of the display device (<NUM>),
and in that the locking device (<NUM>) further comprises a first locking member (<NUM>) positioned on the display device (<NUM>), and a second locking member (<NUM>) positioned on the main body (<NUM>) attached/detached to/from the first locking member (<NUM>);
when pressure being smaller than the preset first pressure is applied to the display device (<NUM>), the first locking member (<NUM>) is attached to the second locking member (<NUM>) and the rotation of the display device (<NUM>) with respect to the main body (<NUM>) is limited; and
when pressure being greater than or equal to the preset first pressure is applied to the display device (<NUM>), the first locking member (<NUM>) is detached from the second locking member (<NUM>) and the display device (<NUM>) is rotatable with respect to the main body (<NUM>).