Context aware user interface for medical diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound imaging

• US 20080072151A1
• Filed: 09/19/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Kim, Dongwong, Kim, Gi-duck, Song, Tai-kyong
• Granted Patent: US 8,286,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/708
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

User interaction is provided for a medical imaging system. The user interacts with the display rather than programmed buttons. The context between the user input and the display, such as identifying user selection of a bottom edge of a displayed image, is determined. The imaging system is controlled based on the context, such as altering the depth of imaging as the user drags the selected bottom edge up or down on the screen.

Claims

1. A method for user interaction with a medical imaging system, the method comprising:

displaying a screen having a medical image;

receiving user input associated with a location on the screen, the location being free of a display of a user input option;

associating the user input with context of the screen at the location; and

setting operation of the medical imaging system as a function of the association of the user input with the context.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the screen comprises displaying the medical image and a background, the background having text associated with a current setting of the medical imaging system associated with the medical image.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving user input comprises receiving input corresponding to a pointer position, a touch position, or both.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein being free of a display of a user input option comprises the location being free of a displayed soft button, selectable indication, and text entry indication.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein associating comprises determining the location as on the medical image.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein determining comprises identifying the location as a portion of the medical image.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein associating comprises determining the location as on text;

and

wherein setting comprises altering a value associated with the text for operation of the medical imaging system.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving user input comprises receiving a sequence of user inputs for a symbol;

wherein setting comprises altering the operation as a function of the symbol and the association.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying comprises displaying a medical diagnostic ultrasound image.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving comprises receiving the user input associated with an edge of the medical diagnostic ultrasound image and motion;

wherein associating comprises associating the user input with the edge of the medical diagnostic ultrasound image; and

wherein setting comprises setting an image, field of view or both as a function of the association and the motion.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving comprises receiving the user input associated with the medical diagnostic ultrasound image and a motion;

wherein associating comprises associating the user input with the image; and

wherein setting comprises setting a gain, brightness, or both for imaging as a function of the association and the motion.

12. In a computer readable storage medium having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a programmed processor for user interaction with a medical imaging system, the storage medium comprising instructions for:

receiving user input associated with a display of a medical image and a background, the background having text associated with a setting of the medical imaging system for having acquired the medical image;

relating the user input to context of the display; and

controlling the medical imaging system as a function of the user input and the context.

13. The instructions of claim 12 wherein receiving user input comprises receiving input corresponding to a pointer position, a touch position, or both, the user input being at a location on the display, the location being free of a displayed soft button, selectable indication, and text solicitation indication.

14. The instructions of claim 12 wherein relating comprises determining a location of the user input as on a portion of the medical image.

15. The instructions of claim 12 wherein relating comprises determining a location of the user input as on text in the background;

and

wherein controlling comprises altering a value associated with the text for operation of the medical imaging system.

16. The instructions of claim 12 wherein receiving user input comprises receiving a user input selection and adjustment indication, the context related to the user input selection;

wherein controlling comprises changing a value corresponding to the context as a function of the adjustment indication.

17. A user input system for user interaction with a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system, the user input system comprising:

a user input device;

a display operable to display a medical diagnostic ultrasound image representing a region of a patient, the medical diagnostic ultrasound image associated with a first configuration of the medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system; and

a processor operable to alter operation of medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system to a second configuration different from the first configuration, the processor operable to alter as a function of input from the user input device indicating selection of at least a portion of the medical diagnostic ultrasound image.

18. The user input system of claim 17 wherein the display and user input device comprise a touch screen.

19. The user input system of claim 17 wherein the medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system comprises a handheld system, wearable system, carriable system, or combinations thereof, and wherein the user input device, display, and processor are part of the medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system.

20. The user input of claim 17 wherein a difference between the first and second configurations corresponds to the portion of the medical diagnostic ultrasound image.