Operating device for influencing displayed information

• US 6,806,864 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2000
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Rahn, Norbert, Wach, Siegfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Xiao
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABDULSELAM, ABBAS I
• Application Number:
  US09/726,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20010002830A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 345/158, 345/159, 345/172, 345/6, 345/419, 345/426, 345/427, 128/870, 600/409, 600/415
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/03 Computed tomography [CT] echo-tomography A61B8/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/043 using propagating acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour

Abstract

An operating device for influencing medical image information items displayed at a display surface with a movable operating element has a motion acquisition system for quantitatively determining adjustment motions of the operating element, with the representation of the image information items displayed at the display surface being influenced solely by motions of the operating element.

Claims

1. An operating device for use with a source of three-dimensional image information representing a medical image of a three-dimensional subject, for influencing display of said three-dimensional image displayed at a display surface, comprising:

a freely movable operating element, physically independent of said source, movable through arbitrary adjustment motions;

an adjustment motion acquisition system for quantitatively identifying said adjustment motions of said operating element; and

a display surface on which said three-dimensional image information is displayed with a three-dimensional visual appearance at said display surface, said display surface being physically separate from said operating element and being connected to said adjustment motion acquisition system, and said three-dimensional visual appearance of said image information displayed on said display surface being alterable solely by said adjustment motions of said operating element identified by said adjustment motion acquisition system.

2. An operating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating element is movable in six degrees of freedom.

3. An operating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustment motion acquisition system operates said display surface in a plurality of different modes, and wherein said freely movable operating element comprises a plurality of operating actuators which, when individually activated, respectively select one of said modes.

4. An operating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said image information is displayable at said display surface in different use, and wherein one of said operating actuators, upon actuation thereof, causes said adjustment motor acquisition system to operate in a mode for scrolling through said different views.

5. An operating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein, upon actuation of one of said operating actuators, said motion acquisition system operates said display surface in a selection mode to allow an information item on said display surface to be selected solely by said adjustment motions of said operating element.

6. An operating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein, upon actuation of one of said operating actuators, said motion acquisition system operates said display surface in a zoom mode which allows a size of said image information on said display to be increased or decreased.

7. An operating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein, upon actuation of one of said operating actuators, said motion acquisition system operates said display surface in a rotation mode, allowing rotation on said display surface of at least one of said image information on said display solely by said adjustment motions of said operating element.

8. An operating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein, upon actuation of one of said operating actuators, said motion acquisition system operates said display surface to allow at least some of said image information on said display to be shown in different views on said display surface solely by said adjustment motions of said operating element.

9. An operating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said operating element comprises a functional occupation actuator which, when actuated, allows selection of allocation of the respective operating actuators to said modes.

10. An operating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said operating element comprises a wireless transmitter for emitting signals identifying respective actuation of said operating actuators and further comprising a receiver for receiving said signals and a signal processor connected to said receiver for evaluating said signals.

11. An operating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said operating element further comprises a microphone for receiving spoken voice commands for influencing said image information on said display surface.

12. An operating device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said operating element comprises a transmitter for emitting wireless signals identifying respective actuation of said operating actuators and said voice commands, and further comprising a receiver for receiving said signals and a signal processor for evaluating said signal.

13. An operating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said motion acquisition system comprises means for determining coordinates of said operating element in a reference coordinate system and for transforming said coordinates into coordinates of an image coordination system which is written into said image information on said display surface.

14. An operating device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said motion acquisition system comprises means for mean value filtering at least one of said coordinates of said operating element in said reference coordinate system and said coordinates of said operating element in said image coordinate system.

15. An operating device as claimed in claim 13 further comprising means for adjusting said motion acquisition system for selecting a scope of the adjustment motion of said operating element which is necessary for effecting a predetermined alteration of said image information on said display surface.

16. An operating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating element is a hand-held operating element.

17. An operating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating elements is encapsulated liquid-tight.