Medical Image Display Touch Selection via Long-Press Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical image display systems face difficulties in selecting and manipulating annotations and measurement lines, especially on touch panel devices, due to proximity issues and the lack of fine-tuned positioning, which hampers operability and precision in medical diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A medical image display apparatus with a touch panel and object position information storage system that allows for long touch operations to select and arrange candidates within a prescribed range, confirming selection upon finger-off, and enabling correction or execution of processing functions based on touch time, position, or depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple annotations and measurement lines are displayed close to each other on a medical image, then the information density and diagnostic capability are improved, but it becomes difficult to select and manipulate individual objects due to proximity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the selection process into multiple stages: first identifying a region of interest containing multiple candidate objects, then allowing sequential selection or confirmation of individual objects within that region. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining high information density while providing structured access to individual objects through region-based grouping and multi-step selection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and grouping candidate objects within a prescribed range before the actual selection occurs. When a user performs a touch operation, the system has already prepared a list of selectable candidates in advance, enabling efficient selection even when objects are densely packed. This preliminary grouping resolves the proximity issue by organizing objects into manageable selection sets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a touch panel terminal device is used for selecting and manipulating annotations, then portability and accessibility are improved, but fine-tuned positioning and precise selection become difficult compared to PC with keyboard and mouse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds temporal dimension to the touch panel interaction by implementing long-press operations and sequential selection mechanisms. Instead of relying solely on spatial precision, the system uses time-based differentiation (press duration) and sequential confirmation to achieve precise object selection. This dimensional transformation resolves the precision limitation of touch panels by introducing time as an additional control parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary selection interface between the user's touch input and the final object manipulation. When multiple candidates are detected in a prescribed range, the system presents them as selectable options and requires confirmation through specific gestures (long-press, sequential selection). This intermediary layer compensates for the lack of fine-tuned positioning capability by providing structured selection pathways that guide users to the intended target.
3Productivity
If annotations and measurement lines are organized into groups and layers, then the manageability and interpretability are improved, but the complexity of selecting and manipulating individual objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection behavior that adapts to the user's intent based on the number of candidates and their spatial relationships. The system dynamically adjusts the selection mechanism: allowing direct selection when only one candidate exists, sequential selection when multiple candidates are present, and region-based selection when objects are densely packed. This dynamic approach maintains productivity by providing efficient selection pathways while managing complexity through context-aware behavior adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical image display apparatus includes a displayer displaying a medical image, a touch panel provided on a display screen of the displayer, a storage storing therein, with respect to the medical image, object position information keeping selectable objects in correspondence with positions thereof, and a hardware processor referring to the object position information, when a long touch operation is performed while the medical image is being displayed; extracting, from among the selectable objects, selectable objects included in a prescribed range from a position in the medical image corresponding to the long touch operation position, as selected candidates; arranging the extracted selected candidates sequentially to be in a selected state in accordance with a touch time period, a touch position, or a touch depth; and confirming, when a finger-off operation is performed, selection of any selected candidate being in the selected state at the time of the finger-off operation.