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US6535615B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and system for facilitating interaction between image and non-image sections displayed on an image review station such as an ultrasound image review station

Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-31
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Granted: 2003-03-18
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Expires: 2019-03-31
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Abstract

Abstract A method and system are provided for facilitating interaction between image and non-image sections displayed on an image review station. With the preferred embodiments, a user can interact with image and non-image sections without changing focus between the sections, thereby allowing the user to be much more efficient in the use of the medical image review station. In one presently preferred embodiment, an image review station processor determines which operation should be performed based on a position of a displayed pointer, regardless of which section is under focus. In another presently preferred embodiment, a user interface device is dedicated to either an image or non-image section such that input from the dedicated user interface device will be applied to the corresponding section regardless of which section is in focus. In a third presently preferred embodiment, the processor determines what operation will be performed based on the type of command received by a voice recognition user interface device, regardless of which section is under focus.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eric Zachmann
  • 👤 Paul Schmitter
  • 👤 David A. Rock
  • 👤 Jeffrey S. Hastings

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 12:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G16; G16H; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; G16Z; G16Z99/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim 153 words
In a medical image review station displaying an image section, a non-image section, and a pointer positioned over the image or non-image section, wherein one of the image section and the non-image section is under focus and the other is not under focus, a method for executing a command from a user interface device without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, the method comprising: (a) receiving a command from a user interface device; (b) determining whether a pointer is positioned over an image section or a non-image section; (c) without changing focus between the image and non-image sections, executing an image section operation associated with the command in response to the pointer being positioned over the image section; and (d) without changing the focus between the image and non-image sections, executing a non-image section operation associated with the command in response to the pointer being positioned over the non-image section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 153 words
In a medical image review station displaying an image section, a non-image section, and a pointer positioned over the image or non-image section, wherein one of the image section and the non-image section is under focus and the other is not under focus, a method for executing a command from a user interface device without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, the method comprising: (a) receiving a command from a user interface device; (b) determining whether a pointer is positioned over an image section or a non-image section; (c) without changing focus between the image and non-image sections, executing an image section operation associated with the command in response to the pointer being positioned over the image section; and (d) without changing the focus between the image and non-image sections, executing a non-image section operation associated with the command in response to the pointer being positioned over the non-image section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises receiving a single-click command from a mouse and wherein (c) comprises selecting an image indicated by the pointer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises receiving a single-click command from a mouse and wherein (d) comprises positioning a text cursor in a location indicated by the pointer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises receiving a double-click command from a mouse and wherein (c) comprises enlarging an image indicated by the pointer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises receiving a double-click command from a mouse and wherein (d) comprises selecting a word indicated by the pointer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises receiving a single-click-and-drag command from a mouse herein (c) comprises making a measurement of an image along a click-and-drag sweep.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises receiving a single-click-and-drag command from a mouse and wherein (d) comprises selecting a range of text along a click-and-drag sweep.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 104 words
In a medical image review station displaying an image section and a non-image section, a method for executing a command from a user interface device without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, the method comprising: (a) establishing a focus in a non-image section; (b) receiving a command from a user interface device associated with an image section and not associated with the non-image section, said command being associated with an image section operation and not being associated with a non-image section operation; and (c) without changing a focus from the non-image section to the image section, executing the image section operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 104 words
In a medical image review station displaying an image section and a non-image section, a method for executing a command from a user interface device without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, the method comprising: (a) establishing a focus in a non-image section; (b) receiving a command from a user interface device associated with an image section and not associated with the non-image section, said command being associated with an image section operation and not being associated with a non-image section operation; and (c) without changing a focus from the non-image section to the image section, executing the image section operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein (b) comprises receiving a command from a scroll wheel of a mouse, and wherein (c) comprises executing an image scrolling operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein (b) comprises receiving a command from a scroll wheel of a mouse, and wherein (c) comprises closing a current examination and automatically displaying a next examination.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising determining a next examination from a set of examinations based on examination location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising determining a next examination from a set of examinations based on user preference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising determining a next examination from a set of examinations based on a predicted priority scheme.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein (b) comprises receiving a command from a keyboard, and wherein (c) comprises executing an image scrolling operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein when focus is established in the non-image section in (a), the image section is not under focus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 104 words
In a medical image review station displaying an image section and a non-image section, a method for executing a command from a user interface device without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, the method comprising: (a) establishing a focus in an image section; (b) receiving a command from a user interface device associated with a non-image section and not associated with the image section, said command being associated with a non-image section operation and not being associated with an image section operation; and (c) without changing a focus from the image section to the non-image section, executing the non-image section operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 104 words
In a medical image review station displaying an image section and a non-image section, a method for executing a command from a user interface device without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, the method comprising: (a) establishing a focus in an image section; (b) receiving a command from a user interface device associated with a non-image section and not associated with the image section, said command being associated with a non-image section operation and not being associated with an image section operation; and (c) without changing a focus from the image section to the non-image section, executing the non-image section operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein when focus is established in the image section in (a), the non-image section is not under focus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 137 words
In a medical image review station displaying an image section and a non-image section, a method for executing a command from a user interface element without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, the method comprising: (a) receiving a command from a voice recognition device, said command being associated with either an image section operation or a non-image section operation but not both; (b) determining whether the command is associated with an image section operation or a non-image section operation; (c) without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, executing the image section operation in response to the command being associated with the image section; and (d) without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, executing the non-image section operation in response to the command being associated with the non-image section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 137 words
In a medical image review station displaying an image section and a non-image section, a method for executing a command from a user interface element without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, the method comprising: (a) receiving a command from a voice recognition device, said command being associated with either an image section operation or a non-image section operation but not both; (b) determining whether the command is associated with an image section operation or a non-image section operation; (c) without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, executing the image section operation in response to the command being associated with the image section; and (d) without changing a focus between the image and non-image sections, executing the non-image section operation in response to the command being associated with the non-image section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein (c) comprises executing an image scrolling operation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein (d) comprises inserting a textual phrase into a field in an image report of the non-image section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein one of the image section and the non-image section is under focus and the other is not under focus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 101 words
A medical image review station comprising: at least one monitor; at least one user interface device; and a processor coupled with said at least one monitor and said at least one user interface device, the processor being operative to display an image and a non-image section on said at least one monitor, wherein one of the image section and the non-image section is under focus and the other is not under focus; the processor being further operative to execute an operation associated with a command received from said at least one user interface device regardless of which section is under focus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 101 words
A medical image review station comprising: at least one monitor; at least one user interface device; and a processor coupled with said at least one monitor and said at least one user interface device, the processor being operative to display an image and a non-image section on said at least one monitor, wherein one of the image section and the non-image section is under focus and the other is not under focus; the processor being further operative to execute an operation associated with a command received from said at least one user interface device regardless of which section is under focus.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 20 words
The medical image review station of claim 22 , wherein said at least one user interface device comprises a mouse.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 20 words
The medical image review station of claim 22 , wherein said at least one user interface device comprises a keyboard.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 24 words
The medical image review station of claim 22 , wherein said at least one user interface device comprises a voice recognition user interface device.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5687737A Cited
US5786818A Cited
US5835088A Cited
US6078308A Cited
US5721849A Cited
US5872567A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-03-17 2006-09-16 2007-03-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-03-17 2010-09-16 2011-03-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-03-17 2014-09-16 2015-03-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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