Voice-enhanced diagnostic medical ultrasound system and review station
First Claim
1. An ultrasound review station comprising:
- a voice input device;
a processor; and
a voice recognition unit coupled with the voice input device and processor, the voice recognition unit being operative to convert a voice signal received from the voice input device into a command signal recognizable by the processor;
wherein the processor is operative to provide the voice recognition unit with voice information correlating a set of command signals recognizable by the processor-with an associated set of respective voice signals.
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Abstract
The preferred embodiments described herein relate to voice-enhanced diagnostic medical ultrasound imaging systems and review stations as well as to voice-related user interfaces. With these preferred embodiments, a user can interact with an imaging system or review station by issuing verbal commands instead of using a mouse, keyboard, or other user interface that requires physical manipulation by the user. This provides a very user-friendly interface, especially to those users who have difficulty navigating complex window and menu hierarchies or who have trouble manipulating pointing devices. This also improves patient flow and provides a more efficient report generation system. Voice feedback can also be used to allow the imaging system or review station to better communicate with a user.
99 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An ultrasound review station comprising:
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a voice input device;
a processor; and
a voice recognition unit coupled with the voice input device and processor, the voice recognition unit being operative to convert a voice signal received from the voice input device into a command signal recognizable by the processor;
wherein the processor is operative to provide the voice recognition unit with voice information correlating a set of command signals recognizable by the processor-with an associated set of respective voice signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
a voice output device; - and
a voice production unit coupled with the processor and the voice output device, the voice production unit being operative to convert a voice output signal from the processor into a voice reproducible by the voice output device.
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13. The ultrasound review station of claim 12, wherein the voice recognition unit and the voice production unit are integrated.
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14. An ultrasound review station comprising:
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a voice output device;
a processor;
a voice production unit coupled with the processor and the voice output device, the voice production unit being operative to convert a voice output signal from the processor into a voice reproducible by the voice output device;
a voice input device; and
a voice recognition unit coupled with the voice input device and processor, the voice recognition unit being operative to convert a voice signal received from the voice input device into a command signal recognizable by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An ultrasound imaging system comprising;
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a processor;
a voice output device;
a voice production unit coupled with the processor and the voice output device, the voice production unit being operative to convert a voice output signal from the processor into a voice reproducible by the voice output device;
a voice input device; and
a voice recognition unit coupled with the voice input device and processor, the voice recognition unit being operative to convert a voice signal received from the voice input device into a command signal recognizable by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for converting a received voiced command into a command signal recognizable by an ultrasound imaging system processor, the method comprising:
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(a) with an ultrasound imaging system processor, providing a voice recognition unit with voice information correlating a set of command signals recognizable by the ultrasound imaging system processor with an associated set of respective voiced commands;
(b) with the voice recognition unit, receiving a voiced command; and
(c) converting the received voiced command into a command signal using the voice information provided by the ultrasound imaging system processor. - View Dependent Claims (29)
(d) with the voice recognition unit, providing the command signal to the ultrasound imaging system processor.
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30. A method for converting a received voiced command into a command signal recognizable by an ultrasound review station processor, the method comprising:
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(a) with an ultrasound review station processor, providing a voice recognition unit with voice information correlating a set of command signals recognizable by the ultrasound review station processor with an associated set of respective voiced commands;
(b) with the voice recognition unit, receiving a voiced command; and
(c) converting the received voiced command into a command signal using the voice information provided by the ultrasound review station processor. - View Dependent Claims (31)
(d) with the voice recognition unit, providing the command signal to the ultrasound review station processor.
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32. An ultrasound transducer comprising:
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at least one transducer element; and
a microphone for receiving voice input, wherein said input is being part of the ultrasound transducer;
said at least one transducer element and said microphone providing electrical signals to an ultrasound imaging system coupled with the ultrasound transducer. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification