User interface for handheld imaging devices

Abstract

A Graphical User Interface (GUI) for an ultrasound system. The ultrasound system has operational modes and the GUI has corresponding icons, tabs, and menu items image and information fields. The User Interface (UI) provides several types of graphical elements with intelligent behavior, such as being context sensitive and adaptive, called active objects, for example, tabs, menus, icons, windows of user interaction and data display and an alphanumeric keyboard. In addition the UI may also be voice activated. The UI further provides for a touchscreen for direct selection of displayed active objects. In an embodiment, the UI is for a medical ultrasound handheld imaging instrument. The UI provides a limited set of hard and soft keys with adaptive functionality that can be used with only one hand and potentially with only one thumb.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 697,148 filed Oct. 29, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, and entitled “User Interface for Handheld Imaging Devices” which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 081,542 filed Feb. 20, 2002 and entitled “User Interface for Handheld Imaging Devices,” now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 860,209 filed May 18, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,102, and entitled “Miniaturized Ultrasound Apparatus and Method,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 378,175 filed Aug. 20, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,073, and entitled “Miniaturized Ultrasound Apparatus and Method.”[0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 872,541 filed May 31, 2001 and entitled “System and Method for Phase Inversion Ultrasonic Imaging”; U.S. patent application Ser...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present user interface of the ultrasound system is designed to provide a more intuitive and efficient user experience. It includes several types of graphical elements that have intelligent behavior and adapt to the user's needs. The user interface is designed for one-handed or one-thumb operation, making it easier for the user to control the device with a single hand. The user interface is also designed to be voice-activated, allowing for voice commands to control various functions of the ultrasound system. The device can be programmed to recognize specific words or combinations of words, and the user can adjust the settings through a menu structure that is intuitive and adaptive to the user's needs. The user interface also includes a microphone and speakers for voice operation, as well as an auto-optimize button to optimize system settings. Overall, the user interface improves the user's experience and allows for more efficient and effective use of the ultrasound system."

Problems solved by technology

Unwanted reflections within the ultrasound device can cause noise and the appearance of artifacts (i.e., image features that result from the imaging system and not from the medium under investigation) in the image.

Artifacts may obscure the underlying image of the medium under investigation.

In some cases, the user interfaces are cumbersome to operate.

Even more cumbersome are those user interfaces requiring two hands to operate or transport resulting in encumbrance of using the system for real-time examinations.

Other examples of difficulties that arise in the case of a handheld device are navigation and selection of the user interface items using one hand or one thumb.

Further, as medical services tend to be expensive, the easier a medical professional can operate the user interface, the more patients the medical professional can serve and the less the medical professional will need to charge for their services.

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