Patent Description:
Ultrasonic diagnostic devices irradiate ultrasound signals generated by transducers of a probe to an object and receive information about signals reflected from the object, thereby obtaining at least one image of an internal part of the object (e.g., soft tissue or blood flow).

A user (e.g., a medical doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratory technologist, or a medical imaging expert), who examines an object using an ultrasonic diagnostic device, may modify items and values of various set parameters of the ultrasonic diagnostic device while obtaining an ultrasound image of the object and examining the object. The user does not use a factory preset, which is an initial setting value of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, but generates a user preset by modifying the set parameters while diagnosing, according to a patient, a part to be examined, a diagnosis division, or a user's personal preference, and storing the modified parameters. The user additionally captures ultrasound images of several patients in order to confirm whether the modified set parameter value of the user preset is appropriate. The user preset may be optimized through the process of capturing the ultrasound image multiple times. <CIT> discloses an ultrasound system, comprising: an input unit for allowing a user to input instructions, the instructions including a setting instruction for setting values of a plurality of parameters and a recovery instruction for recovering the parameter values to previously set parameter values; an ultrasound diagnostic unit for forming an ultrasound image of a target object based on the set parameter values; a storage unit for sequentially and accumulatively storing the parameter values; and a control unit responsive to the recovery instruction and being configured to retrieve the parameter values from the storage unit and recover the set parameter values to previous parameter values based on the retrieved parameter values, wherein the ultrasound diagnostic unit is further configured to form an ultrasound image based on the recovered parameter values.

In general, in order for a user preset to be optimized, it takes time and effort. In addition, it takes a lot of time for a user, who does not have knowledge or is not experienced in an ultrasonic diagnostic device, to generate a preferred user preset. Further, there is a problem in that, when an ultrasound image is captured using an unoptimized user preset, the ultrasound image with satisfactory quality may not be obtained.

The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic diagnostic device that provides a user preset with reliability in order to reduce the time and effort required in the process of optimizing the user preset, and a method of operating same.

An ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure can reduce the time and effort required in the process of optimizing a user preset and, as a result, can improve user convenience. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure can improve the quality of an ultrasound image by providing highly reliable user presets used by others.

The present invention, can be easily understood from the following detailed description and combination of the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals denote structural elements.

As a technical means for solving the above-described technical problem, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an ultrasonic diagnostic device as claimed in claim <NUM>. The ultrasonic diagnostic device includes a display unit, a storage unit configured to store at least one user preset, a user input unit configured to receive a user input for modifying a set parameter of each of the at least one user preset, and a controller configured to store change history information of the at least one user preset, whose set parameter is modified based on the user input, in the storage unit, obtain use history information that is used by the at least one user preset in capturing an ultrasound image of an object, store the obtained use history information in the storage unit, and display the change history information and the use history information related to the at least one user preset on the display unit.

For example, the change history information may include information about at least one of a period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and modified variations of the set parameter value of each of the at least one user preset.

For example, the user input unit may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to at least one of the period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications, the number of items of the set parameter, and the modified variations of the set parameter value, and the controller may set, based on the received user input, the reference value related to at least one of the period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications, the number of items of the set parameter, and the modified variations of the set parameter value and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the at least one user preset.

For example, the use history information may include information about at least one of a period of use, a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the at least one user preset.

For example, the user input unit may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to at least one of the period of use, the time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the at least one user preset, and the controller may set, based on the received user input, the reference value related to at least one of the period of use, the time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the at least one user preset and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the at least one user preset.

The controller determines reliability of the at least one user preset based on the change history information and the use history information and display a first user preset having high reliability among the at least one user preset previously stored in the storage unit on the display unit.

For example, as a period of modification of the set parameter of the at least one user preset increases, the number of modifications of the set parameter of the at least one user preset decreases, the number of modified items of the set parameter decreases, and the modified variations of the set parameter value decrease, the controller may determine that the user preset is highly reliable among the at least one user preset.

For example, the controller may determine reliability of the at least one user preset in proportion to a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of the at least one user preset during a preset time period.

For example, the controller may quantify the change history information and the use history information of the at least one user preset and display the quantified change history information and use history information on the display unit in the form of a graph.

For example, the user input unit may receive a user input for selecting one probe, which is used for capturing the object, among a plurality of different probes, and the controller may set a diagnosis division that is diagnosed using the selected probe based on the received user input and display a second user preset having high reliability among the at least one user preset corresponding to the set diagnosis division.

As a technical means for solving the above-described technical problem, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method as claimed in appended claim <NUM>. The method is a method of operating an ultrasonic diagnostic device including steps of storing change history information of at least one user preset when a set parameter of the at least one user preset is modified, obtaining use history information used by the at least one user preset in capturing an ultrasound image of an object and storing the obtained use history information, and displaying the change history information and the use history information related to the at least one user preset.

For example, in the step of storing the change history information, at least one of a period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and the modified variations of the set parameter value of each of the at least one user preset may be stored.

For example, a reference value related to at least one of the period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and the modified variations of the set parameter value may be set based on a user input.

For example, a reference value related to at least one of the period of use, the time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the at least one user preset may be set based on a user input.

The method further includes steps of determining reliability of the at least one user preset based on the change history information and the use history information, and displaying a first user preset having high reliability among the at least one user preset previously stored in the ultrasonic diagnostic device.

For example, in the step of determining the reliability of the at least one user preset, as a period of modification of the set parameter of the at least one user preset increases, the number of modifications of the set parameter of the at least one user preset decreases, the number of modified items of the set parameter decreases, and modified variations of the set parameter value decrease, the user preset may be determined as being highly reliable among the at least one user preset.

For example, in the step of determining the reliability of the at least one user preset, the reliability of the at least one user preset may be determined in proportion to a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of the at least one user preset during a preset time period.

For example, the method may further include steps of selecting one probe, which is used for capturing the object, among a plurality of different probes based on a user input, and setting a diagnosis division that is diagnosed using the selected probe, wherein in the step of displaying the at least one user preset, a second user preset having high reliability may be displayed among the user presets corresponding to the set diagnosis division.

As a technical means for solving the above-described technical problem, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product including a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the storage medium may include instructions for performing steps of storing change history information of at least one user preset in a storage unit in an ultrasonic diagnostic device when a set parameter of the at least one user preset is modified, obtaining use history information used by the at least one user preset in capturing an ultrasound image of an object and storing the obtained use history information, and displaying both the change history information and the use history information related to the at least one user preset.

The present specification describes the principles of the present invention and discloses embodiments such that the scope of the present invention may be clarified and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention. The disclosed embodiments may be implemented in various forms.

A reference numeral attached in each of operations is used to identify each of the operations, and this reference numeral does not describe the order of the operations, and the operations may be performed differently from the described order unless clearly specified in the context. The term 'module' or 'unit' used in this specification may be implemented as one or a combination of two or more of software, hadware, or firmware, and according to embodiments, a plurality of 'modules' or 'units' may be implemented as one element, it is also possible for one 'module' or 'part' to include a plurality of elements.

Hereinafter, the working principle and embodiments of present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present specification, an image may include a medical image obtained by an ultrasound imaging device.

In the present specification, an "object" is to be photographed and may include a person, an animal, or a part thereof. For example, the object may include a part (organ) of a human body, a phantom, or the like.

Throughout the specification, an "ultrasonic image" means an image of the object, which is processed based on an ultrasonic signal transmitted to the object and reflected from the object.

In addition, throughout the specification, a 'user' may be a medical professional, such as a doctor, a nurse, a clinical pathologist, a medical imaging specialist, or a technican repairing a medical device, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may include a probe <NUM>, an ultrasonic transceiver <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, an image processing unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, and an input unit <NUM>.

The ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may be implemented as a portable type as well as a cart type. Examples of a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device may include a smart phone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet personal computer (PC), and the like including a probe and an application, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The probe <NUM> may include a plurality of transducers. The plurality of transducers may transmit ultrasonic signals to an object <NUM> according to a transmission signal applied from a transmission unit <NUM>. The plurality of transducers may receive ultrasonic signals reflected from the object <NUM> to form a reception signal. Further, the probe <NUM> may be implemented integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> or may be implemented as a separate type in which the probe <NUM> is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> in a wired or wireless manner. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may include one or more probes <NUM> according to an implementation form.

The controller <NUM> controls the transmission unit <NUM> to form a transmission signal to be applied to each of the plurality of transducers in consideration of the positions and focal points of the plurality of transducers included in the probe <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> controls a reception unit <NUM> to convert a reception signal received from the probe <NUM> in an analog-to-digital conversion manner and to sum the digitally converted reception signal in consideration of the positions and focal points of the plurality of transducers, thereby generating ultrasonic data.

The image processing unit <NUM> generates an ultrasonic image using the ultrasonic data generated by the ultrasonic reception unit <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> may display the generated ultrasonic image and various pieces of information processed by the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM>. The ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may include one or more display units <NUM> according to an implementation form. Further, the display unit <NUM> may be implemented as a touch screen in combination with a touch panel.

The controller <NUM> may control the overall operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> and a signal flow between internal components of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include a memory that stores a program or data for performing a function of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> and a processor that processes the program or data. Further, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the ultrasonic diagnosis device <NUM> by receiving a control signal from the input unit <NUM> or an external device.

The ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may include the communication unit <NUM> and may be connected, through the communication unit <NUM>, to an external device (for example, a server, a medical device, a portable device (a smart phone, a tablet PC, a wearable device, and the like)).

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

The communication unit <NUM> may transmit and receive external devices and control signals and data.

The storage unit <NUM> may store various types of data or programs for driving and controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM>, input/output ultrasonic data, acquired ultrasonic images, and the like.

The input unit <NUM> may receive a user's input for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM>. For example, user input includes buttons, keypad, mouse, trackball, jog switch, knob, etc., input, touch pad or touch screen, voice input, motion input, biometric information input (For example, iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, etc.) may be included, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

An example of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described later through <FIG>.

<FIG> are views illustrating ultrasonic diagnostic devicees according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, ultrasonic diagnostic devices 200a and 200b may each include a main display unit <NUM> and a sub display unit <NUM>. One of the main display unit <NUM> and the sub display unit <NUM> may be implemented as a touch screen. The main display unit <NUM> and the sub display unit <NUM> may display the ultrasonic image or various pieces of information processed by the ultrasonic diagnostic devices 200a and 100b. Further, the main display unit <NUM> and the sub display unit <NUM> may be implemented as a touch screen and provide a graphical user interface (GUI) to receive data for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic devicees 200a and 100b from a user. For example, the main display unit <NUM> may display the ultrasonic image, and the sub display unit <NUM> may display a control panel for controlling the ultrasonic image in the form of the GUI. The sub display unit <NUM> may receive data for controlling the displaying of the image through the control panel displayed in the form of the GUI. The ultrasonic diagnostic devices 200a and 100b may control, using input control data, the displaying of the ultrasonic image displayed on the main display unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100b may further include a control panel <NUM> in addition to the main display unit <NUM> and the sub display unit <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may include a button, a trackball, a jog switch, a knob, and the like, and may receive data for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100b from the user. For example, the control panel <NUM> may include a time gain compensation (TGC) button <NUM>, a freeze button <NUM>, and the like. The TGC button <NUM> is a button for setting a TGC value for each depth of the ultrasonic image. Further, when detecting the input of the freeze button <NUM> while scanning the ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100b may maintain a state in which a frame image at a corresponding time point is displayed.

Meanwhile, inputs of the button, the trackball, the jog switch, the knob, and the like included in the control panel <NUM> may be provided to the GUI in the main display unit <NUM> or the sub display unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100c may be implemented as a portable type. Examples of a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device 100c may include a smart phone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like including a probe and an application, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The ultrasonic diagnostic device 100c may include the probe <NUM> and a main body <NUM>, and the probe <NUM> may be connected to one side of the main body <NUM> in a wired or wireless manner. The main body <NUM> may include a touch screen <NUM>. The touch screen <NUM> may display the ultrasonic image, various pieces of information processed by the ultrasonic diagnostic device, the GUI, and the like.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating components of an ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may be implemented as a cart-type as well as a portable-type. Examples of the portable-type ultrasonic diagnostic device may include a picture archiving and communications system (PACS) viewer, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet personal computer (PC), and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may include a user input unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a display unit <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates only essential components of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may further include the probe <NUM>, the ultrasonic transceiver <NUM>, and the communication unit <NUM>, which are illustrated in <FIG>.

The user input unit <NUM> may receive an input of a user who manipulates the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> while examining an object. The user input unit <NUM> may be configured as a control panel including hardware elements such as a key pad, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, and a jog switch, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the user input unit <NUM> may be configured as a touch screen that receives a touch input and displays a graphical user interface (GUI).

The user input unit <NUM> may receive a user input for modifying set parameters while an ultrasound image of the object is captured by the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM>. The user input unit <NUM> may receive a user input for modifying set parameters of a factory preset or may receive a user input for modifying set parameters of at least one user preset previously stored in the storage unit <NUM>. In an embodiment, the user input unit <NUM> may receive a user input for storing a new user preset including the modified set parameters in a manner of overwriting an existing user preset with the new user preset. The user input unit <NUM> may also receive a user input for generating the new user preset including the modified set parameter.

In an embodiment, the user input unit <NUM> may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to a change history of the at least one user preset. In an embodiment, the user input unit <NUM> may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to a use history of the at least one user preset.

The storage unit <NUM> may include at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and the like), a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one time programmable read-only memory (OTPROM), a PROM, an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, and the like), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid-state drive (SSD). In an embodiment, the storage unit <NUM> may also include a database.

The storage unit <NUM> may store the at least one user preset each including set parameter values used by the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> to obtain an ultrasound image of an object. Here, the set parameters of the user preset may include at least one of, for example, time gain compensation (TGC), frequency, pulse repetition frequency (PRF), gain, depth, and ensemble. However, the set parameters are not limited to the above-listed examples. In an embodiment, the storage unit <NUM> may also store a factory setting, which is an initial set value, among set items of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> may store set parameters, which are modified according to a user input received through the user input unit <NUM>, as a user preset. In an embodiment, when the set parameters are modified by the user input, the storage unit <NUM> may store a change history of the user preset. In an embodiment, the storage unit <NUM> may store the change history of the at least one user preset in a log file format.

In an embodiment, the storage unit <NUM> may store use history information of each of the at least one user preset.

The controller <NUM> controls overall operations of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> and processes data and signals. The controller <NUM> may be configured as one or more hardware units. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may be configured as a hardware unit including a memory <NUM> that stores at least one of computer programs, instructions, algorithms, and application data, and a processor <NUM> that processes the programs, instructions, algorithms, or application data stored in the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be configured as at least one of, for example, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, and a graphic processing unit. In this case, the processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> may be configured as a single chip, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the controller <NUM> may operate by one or more software modules that are generated by executing program codes stored in the memory <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may load the at least one user preset stored in the storage unit <NUM> and may modify the set parameters of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> according to a user input received through the user input unit <NUM>. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may modify a parameter value of at least one of the TGC, the frequency, the PRF, the gain, the depth, and the ensemble based on the user input.

When the set parameter value of the at least one user preset is modified, the controller <NUM> may obtain change history information for the at least one user preset and store the change history information in the storage unit <NUM>. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may obtain information about at least one of a period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications of the set parameter, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and modified variations of the set parameter value of each of the at least one user preset. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may store the obtained change history information of the at least one user preset in a log file format. The controller <NUM> may obtain use history information of the at least one user preset. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may obtain information about at least one of a period of use, a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the at least one user preset. The controller <NUM> may store the obtained use history information in the storage unit <NUM> for each user preset. The controller <NUM> may obtain information about the history of using the at least one user preset for a specific time period from a time point at which an ultrasound image of the object is captured until a specific time point. Here, the specific time period may be set by a user input.

The controller <NUM> may display the change history information and the use history information of each of the at least one user preset on the display unit <NUM>. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may display a value obtained by quantifying the change history information and the use history information for each of the at least one user preset in the form of a bar graph. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, the controller <NUM> may display the change history information and the use history information of the at least one user preset as letters, numerals, symbols, and the like.

The controller <NUM> may determine reliability of the at least one user preset based on the change history information and the use history information. Here, the reliability may refer to a degree to which the at least one user preset are optimized, and a highly reliable user preset may have a set parameter value capable of providing a high-quality ultrasound image. The controller <NUM> may determine the user preset having a set parameter with a low change history and a high use history as a highly reliable user preset. In an embodiment, as the period of modification of the set parameter increases, the number of modifications of the set parameter decreases, the number of modified items of the set parameter decreases, and the modified variations of the set parameter value decrease, the controller <NUM> may determine the user preset among the at least one user preset as a highly reliable user preset. In an embodiment, as a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients during a preset time period increase, the controller <NUM> may determine the user preset among the at least one user preset as a highly reliable user preset.

The controller <NUM> may quantify the change history and the use history of the at least one user preset and display the quantified change history and use history on the display unit <NUM> in the form of a graph. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may display the user preset among the at least one user preset that has the change history whose quantified value is less than or equal to a preset first threshold and the use history whose quantified value is greater than or equal to a second preset threshold on the display unit <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may display a first user preset having high reliability among the at least one user preset stored in the storage unit <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may set a reference value related to the change history and the use history based on a user input received through the user input unit <NUM> and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the at least one user preset stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

For example, the controller <NUM> may set a reference value related to at least one of the period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications of the set parameter, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and the modified variations of the set parameter value of the at least one user preset based on the user input, and the controller <NUM> may determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the at least one user preset stored in the storage unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may display the determined user preset on the display unit <NUM>.

For example, the controller <NUM> may set a reference value related to at least one of the period of use, the time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the at least one user preset based on the received user input and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the at least one user preset previously stored in the storage unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may display the determined user preset on the display unit <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may set a diagnosis division to be diagnosed using a probe, which is selected based on the user input received through the user input unit <NUM>, and display the user preset having high reliability among the user presets corresponding to the set diagnosis division on the display unit <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> may display a user interface (UI) related to items related to the set parameter value of the at least one user preset. For example, the display unit <NUM> may be configured as a physical device including at least one of a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP) display, an organic light-emitting display (OLED), a field emission display (FED), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a digital light processing (DLP) display, a flat panel display (FPD), a three-dimensional (3D) display, and a transparent display, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the display unit <NUM> may be configured as a touch screen including a touch interface. When the display unit <NUM> is configured as a touch screen, the display unit <NUM> may be a component integrated with the user input unit <NUM> configured as a touch panel.

The display unit <NUM> may display a highly reliable user preset under the control of the controller <NUM>. In an embodiment, the display unit <NUM> may display the quantified change history and use history of the at least one user preset in the form of a graph.

In an embodiment, the display unit <NUM> may include a main display unit, which displays an ultrasound image of an object, and a sub-display unit that displays a GUI of items related to the set parameter value of the at least one user preset.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing change history information and use history information of a user preset by the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure displays the change history information and the use history information of the user preset.

In step S410 of <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> stores a change history of a set parameter of at least one user preset. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may receive a user input for modifying a set parameter value of each of the previously stored at least one user preset. The ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may store a change history of the at least one user preset, which is modified based on the user input, in a log file format. The change history may include at least one of a period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications of the set parameter, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and modified variations of the set parameter value of each of the at least one user preset.

In step S420, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> obtains use history information of the at least one user preset being used for ultrasound capturing. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may obtain information about at least one of a period of use, a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the at least one user preset. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may obtain information about a history of using the at least one user preset during a time period from a time point at which an ultrasound image of the object is captured until a specific time point. Here, the specific time period may be set by a user input.

In step S430, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> displays the change history information and the use history information of the at least one user preset. Referring to <FIG> together, the display unit <NUM> of the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may display a value obtained by quantifying change history information and use history information of each of first to third user presets <NUM> to <NUM> in the form of a bar graph. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, the display unit <NUM> may display the change history information and the use history information of the first to third user presets <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as letters, numbers, symbols, and the like.

In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may display identification information of a user that sets a parameter value of each of the at least one user preset. Referring to <FIG> together, the user that has modified a set parameter value of the first user preset <NUM> and has stored the modified value may be Dr. Similarly, identification information of the user that has stored a set parameter value of the second user preset <NUM> may be a specialist B, and identification information of the user that has stored a set parameter value of the third user preset <NUM> may be a professor C.

In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may determine reliability of the at least one user preset based on the change history information and the use history information. The ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may determine the user preset having a set parameter with a low change history and a high use history as a highly reliable user preset. In an embodiment, as a period of modification of the set parameter increases, the number of modifications of the set parameter decreases, the number of modified items of the set parameter decreases, and the modified variations of the set parameter value decrease, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may determine the user preset among the at least one user preset as a highly reliable user preset. In an embodiment, as a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients during a preset time period increase, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may determine the user preset among the at least one user preset as a highly reliable user preset.

In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may display the first user preset having high reliability among the previously stored at least one user preset. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may set a diagnosis division to be diagnosed using a probe, which is selected based on the received user input, and display the user preset having high reliability among the user presets corresponding to the set diagnosis division.

In general, when an object is examined using an ultrasonic diagnostic device, an initial set value, that is, a factory preset, is not used, and set parameter values such as gain, depth, and TGC may be modified in a process of capturing an ultrasound image. The user preset is optimized in a manner of storing the modified set parameter values as a user preset, continuously modifying the set parameter values while a patient is captured, and overwriting the previously stored user preset with a new user preset. In order to optimize the user preset, a certain degree of time and effort is required. In addition, it takes a lot of time for a user, who does not have knowledge or is not experienced in an ultrasonic diagnostic device, to generate a preferred user preset. In addition, there is a problem in that, when the ultrasound image is captured using an unoptimized user preset, the quality of the obtained ultrasound image is not high, and thus it is difficult to obtain a highly reliable user preset.

The ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> according to the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may display a highly reliable user preset, i.e., the user preset that is optimized well based on the change history and the use history of each of the at least one user preset. Thus, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> of the present disclosure may reduce the time and effort required in the process of optimizing the user preset and, as a result, may improve user convenience. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> of the present disclosure may improve the quality of an ultrasound image by providing highly reliable user presets used by others.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> of the present disclosure optimizes a user preset.

Referring to <FIG>, a degree of optimization of at least one user preset is illustrated. In <FIG>, "A," "B," "C," "D," and "E" denote types of the user preset, and a numeral refers to an nth user preset newly updated by modifying a set parameter of the user preset and then storing the existing user preset in an overwrite manner by an nth user. For example, "A<NUM>" may be a first user preset generated by modifying a set parameter of a user preset A<NUM>, which is modified from a factory preset, and then storing the same again, and "A<NUM>" may be a second user preset generated by modifying a set parameter of "A<NUM>" and then storing the same again. A user preset B<NUM> may be a user preset generated by modifying the set parameter of "A<NUM>," which is the previously stored user preset, and then storing the same with a new name. Similarly, "C<NUM>" may be a user preset generated by modifying the set parameter of "A<NUM>," which is the previously stored user preset, and then storing the same with a new name.

In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, user presets B<NUM>, C<NUM>, and E<NUM> are deleted by the user.

Optimization degrees of user presets A<NUM> to A<NUM> may be different from each other. For example, in the case of the user preset A<NUM>, a change history may be at an intermediate level while a use history, that is, a use frequency, may be at a low level. In the case of the user preset A<NUM>, a change history may be at a high level, and a use frequency may also be at a high level. In the case of the user preset A<NUM>, a change history may be at a low level while a use frequency may be at a high level. A level of each of a change history and a use frequency of the user preset C<NUM> may be similar to that of the user preset A<NUM>. In addition, in the case of a user preset D<NUM>, a change history may be at an intermediate level, but a use frequency may be at a high level.

Here, an optimized user preset refers to a user preset having a set parameter capable of obtaining a high-quality ultrasound image, and the optimization degree may refer to the reliability of the user preset. That is, the reliability of the user preset may become higher as the optimization degree is higher.

In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may determine the user preset having a set parameter with a low change history and a high use history as a highly reliable user preset. For example, as a period of modification of the set parameter increases, the number of modifications of the set parameter decreases, the number of modified items of the set parameter decreases, and the modified variations of the set parameter value decrease, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may determine the user preset as a highly reliable user preset. Further, as a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients during a preset time period increase, the ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may determine the user preset among the at least one user preset as a highly reliable user preset.

In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, as a subscript numeral becomes higher, the user preset may be a highly optimized and reliable user preset. For example, the user preset As has the change history with a low level and the use history, that is, a use frequency with a high level. This may mean that the user preset As is in a state of completion of optimization and is a user preset that the user may trust, because even though the number of times and hours for the user to modify the set parameter of the user preset A<NUM>, and the number of modified items in the set parameter are lower than those of other user presets, the user preset As has the use frequency with a high level. Similarly, this may mean that the user preset D<NUM> is also the user preset in a state of completion of optimization because the change history is at a low level and the use frequency is at a high level. The relationship between the change history and the use history, and the optimization degree will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating an optimization degree according to a change history <NUM> and a use history <NUM> of a user preset, and <FIG> is a table illustrating parameters representing the change history and the use history of the user preset.

Referring to <FIG>, graph 600A representing the optimization degree according to the change history <NUM> and the use history <NUM> of the user preset is illustrated. In graph 600A shown in <FIG>, the change history <NUM> may be a value obtained by quantifying at least one of, for example, the number of modifications of the set parameter, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and modification variations of a set parameter value in the user preset. The use history <NUM> may be a value obtained by quantifying at least one of, for example, a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of the user preset.

The change history <NUM> in graph 600A continues to rise until the optimization degree reaches <NUM>%, but falls as the optimization degree exceeds <NUM>%. That is, the change history <NUM> is saturated at a certain degree of value. That is, the set parameter of the user preset has a change history that rises in an initial stage of optimization and continues to rise up to an intermediate stage of optimization. This is because the set parameter is frequently modified in an ultrasound capturing step in order to obtain a high-quality ultrasound image, and the user preset is updated. The change history <NUM> falls as the optimization progresses to a completion stage after the intermediate stage. This is because the set parameter of the user preset is optimized to the extent that the set parameter is satisfied, and thus the number of modifications, the time of modification, the number of modified items, and the like of the set parameter are reduced.

Unlike the change history <NUM>, the use history <NUM> continues to rise in proportion to the optimization degree. This is because the time of use, the number of uses, the number of diagnosed patients, and the like increase as the user preset becomes highly optimized.

Referring to table 600B shown in <FIG>, an example of a modification history, a use history, and an optimization degree of each of user presets A to D is illustrated. In table 600B, the change history may include information about a period of modification, the number of modified items, and the number of modifications, and the use history may include information about the number of uses, a period of use, a time of use, and the number of diagnosed patients. Numerals listed in table 600B are exemplary for convenience of description, and the change history and the use history of each of the user presets A to D are not limited to the numerals shown in table 600B.

Referring to the modification history, in the case of the user preset A, the period of modification is one year and two months ago, the number of modified items is <NUM>, and the number of modifications is eight. In the case of the user preset B, the period of modification is one year and two months ago, the number of modified items is <NUM>, and the number of modifications is nine. In the case of the user preset C, the period of modification is one day ago, the number of modified items is <NUM>, and the number of modifications is <NUM>. In the case of the user preset D, the period of modification is five days ago, the number of modified items is <NUM>, and the number of modifications is <NUM>. Referring to the modification history/use history graph, in the case of the user presets A and B, a value obtained by quantifying the change history is lower than that in the case of the user presets C and D. Here, the value obtained by quantifying the change history may be proportional to the number of modified items and the number of modifications and may become higher as the period of modification is more recent.

Referring to the use history, in the case of the user preset A, the number of uses is <NUM>, the period of use is one day ago, the time of use is <NUM> minutes, and the number of diagnosed patients is <NUM>. In the case of the user preset B, the number of uses is <NUM>, the period of use is one year and one month ago, the time of use is <NUM> minutes, and the number of diagnosed patients is <NUM>. In the case of the user preset C, the number of uses is <NUM>, the period of use is one day ago, the time of use is <NUM> minutes, and the number of diagnosed patients is <NUM>. In the case of the user preset D, the number of uses is <NUM>, the period of use is one day ago, the time of use is <NUM> minutes, and the number of diagnosed patients is <NUM>. Referring to the modification history/use history graph, in the case of the user presets A and D, a value obtained by quantifying the use history is lower than that in the case of the user presets B and C. Here, the quantified use history may be proportional to the number of uses, the time of use, and the number of diagnosed patients and may become higher as the period of use is more recent.

In table 600B, the optimization degree may be in a completion stage as the change history becomes lower and the use history becomes higher. For example, in the case of the user preset A in which the change history is at a low level and the use history is at a high level, the optimization may be in a completion stage. The user preset B is in an initial stage of optimization since both the change history and the use history are at a low level, and the user preset C may be in an initial stage of optimization since the change history is at a high level but the use history is at a low level. In addition, the user preset D may be in an intermediate stage of optimization since both the change history and the use history are at a high level.

In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, as the change history <NUM> becomes lower and the use history <NUM> becomes higher, the optimization reaches a completion stage. This is because, in the user preset that allows high-quality ultrasound images to be obtained, the number of times the set parameter of the user preset is modified, the number of modified items in the set parameter, and the like decrease, and the number of uses, the time of use, and the number of diagnosed patients increase. That is, it may mean that the user preset is a highly reliable user preset as the user preset is further optimized. For example, the reliability of the user preset may become higher as the period of modification of the set parameter increases, the number of modifications decreases, the number of modified items of the set parameter decreases, and the modified variations of the set parameter value decrease. In addition, the reliability of the user preset may increase in proportion to the time of use of the user preset, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface for receiving a user input, which is used for setting reference values related to change history information and use history information of a user preset, by the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the display unit <NUM> of the ultrasonic diagnostic device may display a user interface (UI) for receiving a user input for setting reference values related to change history information and use history information in order to provide a high-reliability user preset. The user interface may include a use history setting UI <NUM> for setting reference values for a use history of the user preset, and a change history UI <NUM> for setting reference values for a change history of the user preset.

The use history UI <NUM> may include a period-of-use setting UI <NUM>, a time-of-use setting UI <NUM>, a number-of-uses setting UI <NUM>, and a number-of-diagnosed-patients setting UI <NUM>. The period-of-use setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for collecting information about the history of the user preset being used during a specific time period. The period-of-use setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for setting an initial date and an end date used by the user preset. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may obtain information about the number of times used by the user preset, a time of use, and the number of diagnosed patients during the specified time period through the user input.

In an embodiment, based on the user input input through the period-of-use setting UI <NUM>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may obtain information about the history of the user preset being used for capturing an object during a time period from a start time point (initial time) to a specific time point (end time) during which a user captures an ultrasound image of the object. The time period may be set in units of days, weeks, and years. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may search for the user presets used during the time period between the start time point (initial time) to the specific time point (end time) set among at least one user preset previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the search results on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The time-of-use setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to the user preset being used. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may set a reference value related to the time of use based on a user input received through the time-of-use setting UI <NUM> and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the previously stored at least one user preset. For example, when the user sets <NUM> days as the reference value, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may search for the user presets having the time of use of <NUM> days or more among the user presets previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the search results on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The number-of-uses setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to the number of times for which the user preset has been used. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may set a reference value related to the number of uses based on a user input received through the number-of-uses setting UI <NUM> and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the previously stored at least one user preset. For example, when the user sets <NUM> times as the reference value, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may search for the user presets having the number of uses of <NUM> times or more among the user presets previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the search results on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The number-of-diagnosed-patients setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to the number of patients diagnosed using the user preset. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may set a reference value related to the number of diagnosed patients based on a user input received through the number-of-diagnosed-patients setting UI <NUM> and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the previously stored at least one user preset. For example, when the user sets <NUM> patients as the reference value, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may search for the user presets having the number of diagnosed patients of <NUM> patients or more among the user presets previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the search results on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The change history setting UI <NUM> may include a period-of-modification setting UI <NUM>, a number-of-modifications setting UI <NUM>, a number-of-items-of-modified-parameters setting UI <NUM>, and a modified-variations-of-parameter setting UI <NUM>. The period-of-modification setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for collecting information about the history of the user preset being modified during a specific time period. The period-of-use setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for setting an initial date and an end date used by the user preset during which the set parameter value of the user preset has been modified. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may obtain information about the number of modifications of the user preset, the number of modified parameters, and modified variations of the parameter during the time period specified through the user input. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may search for the user presets having the change history during the specified time period among the at least one user preset previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the search results on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The number-of-modifications setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to the number of modifications of the user preset. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may set a reference value related to the number of modifications based on a user input received through the number-of-modifications setting UI <NUM> and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the previously stored at least one user preset. For example, when the user sets <NUM> times as the reference value, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may search for the user presets, whose set parameters have been modified more than <NUM> times, among the user presets previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the search results on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The number-of-items-of-modified-parameters setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to the number of modified items of the set parameter among the set parameters of the user preset. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may set a reference value related to the number of modified items of the set parameter based on a user input received through the number-of-items-of-modified-parameters setting UI <NUM> and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the previously stored at least one user preset. For example, when the user sets five as the reference value, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may search for the user presets in which more than five set parameters have been modified among the user presets previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the search results on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The modified-variations-of-parameter setting UI <NUM> may receive a user input for setting a reference value related to the degree of modification of the set parameter value of the user preset. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may set a reference value related to the modified variations of the set parameter value based on a user input received through the modified-variations-of-parameter setting UI <NUM> and determine the user preset corresponding to the set reference value among the previously stored at least one user preset. For example, when the user sets a gain value to <NUM>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may search for the user presets having a gain value of <NUM> or more among the user presets previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the search results on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure, through the UI shown in <FIG>, a reference value may be set, and user presets that match criteria desired by a user are automatically searched and provided so that user convenience may be improved. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure may provide only user presets corresponding to the reference value set by the user so that reliability may be improved.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which a highly reliable user preset is determined based on a change history and a use history by the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, change history graph 800A obtained by quantifying change history information of user presets <NUM> to <NUM> and use history graph 800B obtained by quantifying use history information of the user presets <NUM> to <NUM> are illustrated.

Referring to change history graph 800A, quantified modification histories of the user presets <NUM> to <NUM> are shown in the form of a bar graph. The change history shown in the change history graph 800A may be a value obtained by quantifying at least one of a period of modification of a set parameter, the number of modifications of the set parameter, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and modified variations of the set parameter value of each of the user presets <NUM> to <NUM>. The change history may be proportional to the number of modified items of the set parameter, the number of modifications, and the modified variations of the set parameter value. In an embodiment, the change history may be quantified with a higher value as the period of modification is more recent.

The ultrasonic diagnostic device may determine the user preset having a quantified change history of less than or equal to a first threshold th1 as a highly reliable user preset. In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may determine the user preset <NUM> having a change history of less than or equal to the first threshold th1 as a highly reliable user preset.

Referring to use history graph 800B, quantified use histories of the user presets <NUM> to <NUM> are shown in the form of a bar graph. The use history shown in use history graph 800B may be a value obtained by quantifying at least one of a period of use, a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the user presets <NUM> to <NUM>. The use history may be proportional to the time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients. In an embodiment, the use history may be quantified with a higher value as the period of use is more recent.

The ultrasonic diagnostic device may determine the user preset having a quantified use history of greater than or equal to a second threshold th2 as a highly reliable user preset. In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may determine the user presets <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> having a use history of greater than or equal to the second threshold th2 as a highly reliable user preset.

In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may determine the user preset that has a change history of less than or equal to the first threshold th1 and a use history of greater than or equal to the second threshold th2 as a highly reliable user preset. In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may determine the user preset <NUM> as a highly reliable user preset. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may display the user preset <NUM> determined as a highly reliable user preset on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which a highly reliable user preset is provided based on a probe, which is selected by a user input, by the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the display unit <NUM> of the ultrasonic diagnostic device may display a UI for receiving a user input for selecting a probe and a UI for providing a highly reliable user preset among user presets corresponding to a diagnosis division that may be diagnosed using the selected probe.

In an embodiment, the display unit <NUM> may display a thumbnail image related to each of first to third probes <NUM> to <NUM>. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may receive a user input for selecting a specific probe through the thumbnail image related to each of the first to third probes <NUM> to <NUM> in order to capture an ultrasound image of an object. In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may receive a user input for selecting the first probe <NUM> labeled as CA1-7A.

The ultrasonic diagnostic device may set a diagnosis division, which may be examined using the selected first probe <NUM>, based on the received user input. For example, when the first probe <NUM> is a probe used for diagnosis of abdomen, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may display a UI, through which a user input for selecting an abdominal diagnosis <NUM> is received, when the first probe <NUM> is selected. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may set the abdominal diagnosis <NUM> as the diagnosis division based on the user input. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and when the first probe <NUM> is selected, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may automatically set the abdominal diagnosis <NUM> as the diagnosis division.

The ultrasonic diaganostic device may display a UI that provides a user with a highly reliable user preset among the user presets corresponding to the set diagnosis division. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may select at least one user preset corresponding to the abdominal diagnosis <NUM> among the user presets previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display the user preset with a low change history and a high use history among the selected at least one user preset. In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may display first to third user presets <NUM> to <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the display unit <NUM> may display identification information of a user who has set parameter values of each of the first to third user presets <NUM> to <NUM>. In an embodiment, the display unit <NUM> may display a graph obtained by quantifying a change history and a use history of each of the first to third user presets <NUM> to <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a highly reliable user preset based on a probe, which is selected by a user input, by the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure.

In step S1010, the ultrasonic diagnostic device selects one probe used for ultrasound capturing among a plurality of different probes based on a user input. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may display a UI that includes a thumbnail image and identification information of each of the plurality of probes. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may receive a user input for selecting a probe through the UI displayed on the display unit and select the probe to be used for ultrasound capturing based on the user input.

In step S1020, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may set a diagnosis division that may be diagnosed using the selected probe. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may display a UI that includes a list or thumbnail image related to the diagnosis division that may be diagnosed using the selected probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may select the diagnosis division based on the user input received through the displayed UI. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may automatically set the diagnosis division that may be diagnosed using the selected probe.

In step S1030, the ultrasonic diagnostic device determines the reliability of at least one user preset related to the diagnosis division based on change history information and use history information. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may select at least one user preset corresponding to the set diagnosis division from the at least one user preset previously stored in the storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and determine the reliability of the selected at least one user preset. The ultrasonic diagnostic device may determine the user preset with a low change history and a high use history as a highly reliable user preset.

In step S1040, the ultrasonic diagnostic device displays a first user preset having high reliability among the at least one user preset. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may display the first user preset with a low change history and a high use history on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) among the at least one user preset corresponding to the diagnosis division that is set in step S1020.

In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may recommend a reliable user preset in a diagnosis division that may be diagnosed using a probe selected by a user, thereby improving user convenience. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure may provide an option of selecting the user preset based on the reputation of other users by displaying identification information of key opinion leaders such as well-known doctors, professors, and radiologists who have set parameter values of the recommended user preset. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the present disclosure may improve intuition in selecting the user preset by displaying a value obtained by quantifying a change history and a use history of the recommended user preset in the form of a bar graph.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which each of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees of the present disclosure uploads a user preset to a cloud server and receives a highly reliable user preset from the cloud server.

Referring to <FIG>, a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> may be connected to a cloud server <NUM> through a wired or wireless communication network. The plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> may be ultrasonic diagnostic devicees in one hospital, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> may be ultrasonic diagnostic devicees used in other hospitals.

In an embodiment, all the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> may be apparatuses of the same manufacturer or the same type and may have the same specification. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> may each upload a user preset including parameter values set by a user to the cloud server <NUM>. In step S1110, a first ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may upload the user preset, which is set by the user or stored in an overwrite manner after modifying a set parameter to the cloud server <NUM>. Here, the first ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may upload a log file including a change history and a use history of the user preset to the cloud server <NUM>. The change history of the user preset uploaded to the cloud server <NUM> may be information, for example, about at least one of a period of modification of the set parameter, the number of modifications, the number of modified items of the set parameter, and modified variations of the set parameter value of the user preset. In addition, the use history of the user preset uploaded to the cloud server <NUM> may be, for example, information about at least one of a period of use, a time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of the user preset.

In step S1120, the cloud server <NUM> may store a plurality of user presets received from the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> in a Big Data form and determine the reliability of each of the plurality of user presets based on the change history and the use history of each of the plurality of stored user presets. In an embodiment, as the period of modification of the set parameter of the plurality of user presets increases, the number of modifications of the set parameter decrease, the number of modified items of the set parameter of the plurality of user presets decreases, and the modified variations of the set parameter value decrease, the cloud server <NUM> may determine the user preset is highly reliable. In an embodiment, the cloud server <NUM> may determine the reliability of the user preset in proportion to the time of use, the number of uses, and the number of diagnosed patients of each of the plurality of user presets.

In step S1130, the first ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> receives a highly reliable user preset from the cloud server <NUM>. The first ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may receive the highly reliable user preset from the cloud server <NUM> through the wired or wireless communication network. In an embodiment, the first ultrasonic diagnostic device <NUM> may receive identification information of a creator of the received user preset together with information about a diagnosis division.

In the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>, the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> may each upload the user preset set by each user to the cloud server <NUM>, and the cloud server <NUM> may manage the uploaded plurality of user presets in the form of Big Data, and thus the user presets may be shared between the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> in the same hospital or the plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic devicees <NUM> to <NUM> in a plurality of other hospitals. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present disclosure allows user presets used by well-known doctors or professors to be used in other hospitals or other ultrasonic diagnostic devicees.

The embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented as a software program including instructions stored in computer-readable storage media.

A computer may refer to a device capable of retrieving instructions stored in the storage media and performing operations according to embodiments of the disclosure in response to the retrieved instructions and may include X-ray systems according to the embodiments of the disclosure.

The computer-readable storage media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. Here, the term "non-transitory" only means that the storage media do not include signals and are tangible, and the term does not distinguish between data that is semi-permanently stored and data that is temporarily stored in the storage media.

In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the method of operating the same according to the disclosed embodiments may be included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded, as a commodity, between a seller and a buyer.

The computer program product may include a software program and a computer-readable storage medium having the software program stored thereon. For example, the computer program product may include a product (e.g., a downloadable application) in the form of a software program electronically distributed by a manufacturer of an ultrasonic diagnostic device or through an electronic market (e.g., Google Play Store, and App Store). For such electronic distribution, at least a part of the software program may be stored on the storage medium or may be temporarily generated. In this case, the storage medium may be a storage medium of a server of the manufacturer, a server of the electronic market, or a relay server for temporarily storing the software program.

In a system consisting of a server and a device (e.g., an ultrasonic diagnostic device), the computer program product may include a storage medium of the server or a storage medium of the device. Alternatively, in a case in which a third device (e.g., a smart phone) is communicationally connected to the server or device, the computer program product may include a storage medium of the third device. Alternatively, the computer program product may include a software program that is transmitted from the server to the device or the third device or that is transmitted from the third device to a terminal.

In this case, one of the server, the device, and the third device may execute the computer program product to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments. Alternatively, two or more of the server, the device, and the third device may execute the computer program product to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments in a distributed manner.

For example, the server (e.g., a cloud server, an artificial intelligence (Al) server, or the like) may run the computer program product stored therein to control the device communicationally connected to the server to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments.

As another example, the third device may execute the computer program product to control the device communicationally connected to the third device to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments.

When the third device executes the computer program product, the third device may download the computer program product from the server and execute the downloaded computer program product. Alternatively, the third device may execute the computer program product provided in a pre-loaded state to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments.

Meanwhile, the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instruction may be stored in the form of a program code, and when executed by a processor, a program module may be generated to perform the operation of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

Claim 1:
An ultrasonic diagnostic device (<NUM>) providing a user preset, the ultrasonic diagnostic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display unit (<NUM>);
a storage unit (<NUM>) configured to store at least one user preset;
a user input unit (<NUM>) configured to receive a user input for changing a set parameter of the at least one user preset; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to store change history information of the at least one user preset, whose the set parameter is changed based on the user input, in the storage unit (<NUM>), obtain use history information that is used by the at least one user preset in capturing an ultrasound image of an object, store the obtained use history information in the storage unit (<NUM>), and display the change history information and the use history information related to the at least one user preset on the display unit (<NUM>),
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to determine reliability of the at least one user preset based on the change history information and the use history information and is configured to display a first user preset having high reliability among the at least one user preset previously stored in the storage unit on the display unit (<NUM>).