Medical Image Display Positioning Grid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for displaying medical images, such as DICOM image series, require significant mouse travel and time to layout multiple images side-by-side, leading to user strain and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system with a computer processor that displays thumbnail images in a secondary segment, allowing users to select and position image series in a primary segment using a positioning grid, reducing the need for extensive mouse movement by automatically updating the display with selected images in designated sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user drags thumbnails to position image series on the display, then the images can be arranged side-by-side for comparison, but the user experiences significant mouse travel and hand/arm strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning grid as an intermediary interface between the user and the image display. Instead of directly dragging thumbnails across the entire display area, the user selects a thumbnail and then selects a position on the grid, which automatically places the image in the corresponding section. This mediator (the grid with numbered positions) reduces the physical distance the user's hand must travel and simplifies the positioning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The display area is segmented into multiple sections, each corresponding to a position on the positioning grid. The patent divides the large display space into discrete, manageable regions (e.g., four quadrants or nine positions), allowing users to select from predefined locations rather than continuously positioning images. This segmentation transforms a complex continuous positioning task into a simpler discrete selection task.
2Productivity
If the user manually drags and positions multiple thumbnails, then images can be displayed in the desired layout, but the process requires significant mouse travel and user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization by presenting thumbnails in a structured list or grid format before the actual image display. The positioning grid pre-defines valid placement positions, so when the user selects a thumbnail and then a grid position, the system has already prepared the target location. This preliminary structuring of both the source (thumbnails) and destination (grid positions) options reduces the complexity of the matching operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning grid serves as an intermediary that translates user intent into precise image placement. Instead of requiring direct manipulation and positioning, the grid acts as a bridge: user selects thumbnail → user selects grid position → system automatically places image in corresponding display section. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for precise mouse control and reduces physical strain.
3Ease of operation
If thumbnails are displayed in a secondary segment and users select positions from a positioning grid, then mouse travel is reduced, but the interface complexity increases with additional display elements
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into distinct functional zones: a secondary segment for displaying thumbnails and a positioning grid overlay, and a primary segment for displaying the selected images. This spatial segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific purpose without cluttering the entire interface. The positioning grid itself is segmented into positions that correspond to display sections, creating a clear mapping between selection and result.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal or procedural dimension to the interface interaction. Instead of a single-plane drag-and-drop operation, the system introduces a two-step selection process (first select thumbnail, then select grid position) that unfolds over time. The positioning grid can be thought of as adding a third dimension of control - not just horizontal and vertical positioning, but also the dimension of selection sequence and confirmation. This dimensional addition manages complexity by structuring the interaction flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for efficiently displaying medical data to a user. For one or more of the image series, the system displays a thumbnail image representing the image series in a secondary segment of a display. In response to a selection of one of the displayed thumbnail images the system displays in the secondary segment a positioning grid with multiple sections, each section representing a section of a separate primary segment of the display that does not overlap the secondary segment. In response to a selection of one of the sections in the positioning grid the system updates the display to cause an image in the image series corresponding to the selected thumbnail image to be displayed in the section of the primary segment of the display represented by the selected section of the positioning grid.