Generating images for at least two displays in image-guided surgery

Abstract

A system ( 1 ), in particular for image-guided surgery, comprising: at least two display devices ( 2, 3 ); a position de-terminator ( 8 ) for determining the relative position of the display devices; and an image generator ( 9 ) for generating images, which are to be displayed by the display devices, in accordance with the determined relative position.

1 . A system, in particular for image-guided surgery, comprising: at least two display devices; a position determinator for determining the relative position of the display devices; and an image generator for generating images, which are to be displayed by the display devices, in accordance with the determined relative position. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising: an adjustable mounting for a display device, wherein the mounting consists of multiple elements and two adjoining elements are connected via an adjustable joint; and at least one sensor for detecting the state of at least one joint. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a marker device which is attached to at least one display device, wherein the position determinator is configured to determine the relative position from the position of the marker device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising at least one camera which observe(s) the display devices, wherein the position determinator is configured to determine the relative position from the output image of the at least one camera. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a camera which is attached to a display device, wherein the position determinator is configured to determine the relative position from the output image of the camera. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a viewer detector, such as an RFID reader or camera, for detecting a viewer who is viewing a display device, wherein the image generator is configured to generate an image for this display device in accordance with the determined viewer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising: an adjustable mounting which consists of multiple elements, wherein two adjoining elements are connected via an adjustable joint; and at least one actuator for adjusting the state of at least one joint. 
     
     
         8 . A method of generating images for at least two display devices in a system, in particular for image-guided surgery, comprising the steps of: determining the relative position of the display devices; and generating images, which are to be displayed by the display devices, in accordance with the determined relative position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the relative position is determined from the state of at least one joint which connects adjoining elements of a mounting device for a display device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the relative position is determined from the positions of marker devices attached to the display devices. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the relative position is determined from at least one output image of at least one camera, wherein the output image shows the display devices. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the relative position is determined from at least one output image of a camera which is attached to a display device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a viewer who is viewing a display device is determined, and the image to be displayed by this display device is generated in accordance with the determined viewer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating a drive signal for driving at least one actuator in order to adjust the state of at least one joint which connects two adjoining elements of an adjustable mounting which holds a display device. 
     
     
         15 . A program which, when running on a computer or when loaded onto a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to  claim 8 , and/or a program storage medium on which the program is stored (in particular non-transitory), and/or a computer on which the program is running or into the memory of which the program is loaded, and/or a signal wave, in particular a digital signal wave, carrying information which represents the program, wherein the aforementioned program in particular comprises code means which are adapted to perform all the steps of the method according to  claim 8 .