Physician-Side Image Workflow Control for Telemedicine Examinations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telemedicine systems lack a user interface (UI) that supports smooth image capturing and explanation flows during examinations, leading to potential distractions and delays due to UI operations and capacity issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising physician-side and patient-side information processing apparatuses that facilitate image processing and transmission, allowing for reduced data amount images to be captured and transmitted, with partial image cutting and trimming to minimize data transfer time and maintain communication flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full-resolution images are transmitted during telemedicine examination, then image quality is improved, but data transfer time increases and communication may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image transmission process into two stages: first transmitting a reduced-resolution thumbnail image for quick display and initial examination, then selectively transmitting only the necessary partial image regions at full resolution. This segmentation of image data allows the system to balance between quick display (reduced resolution) and diagnostic quality (full resolution) while minimizing overall data transfer time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and transmits only the necessary partial image regions at full resolution rather than transmitting the entire high-resolution image. The physician can designate specific regions of interest in the thumbnail, and only those regions are extracted and transmitted in full quality, significantly reducing data transfer time while maintaining diagnostic capability for the areas that matter most.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive UI functions are provided for image capturing and explanation, then examination capability is improved, but UI operation complexity increases and may distract the physician
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic image processing and region detection functions that reduce the need for complex manual UI operations. The system can automatically detect and highlight regions of interest, automatically manage image resolution transitions, and automatically coordinate between thumbnail and full-image views. This self-service approach maintains comprehensive examination capabilities while reducing physician workload and distraction from UI operations.
3Measurement precision
If high-capacity image processing is performed to maintain image quality, then image fidelity is improved, but system capacity requirements increase and may cause delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by processing and transmitting only the necessary portions of images at full resolution rather than processing entire high-resolution images. The system performs comprehensive image processing only on the specific regions that require detailed examination, while other regions remain in reduced resolution. This approach maintains image fidelity where needed while significantly improving processing efficiency by avoiding unnecessary full-resolution processing of entire images.
Data Source
AI summary
A physician-side information processing apparatus is capable of being switched among a plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a first mode in which a patient and a physician converse, a second mode in which an image of the patient is captured, wherein the second mode transitions from the first mode, a third mode in which the processing is performed on an image of the patient, wherein the third mode transitions from the second mode, and a fourth mode in which an explanation is given to the patient using the processed image, wherein the fourth mode transitions from the third mode. In the second mode, an instruction for capturing an image of the patient is transmitted to a patient-side information processing apparatus, and in the third mode, the information is transmitted to the patient-side information processing apparatus.