Remote Microscope Slide Access via Central Management Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for accessing digitized microscope slides are inefficient due to high bandwidth requirements and the need for users to connect to multiple servers to find specific slides, leading to inconvenient and time-consuming searches.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a central management station unit (CMSU) connected to a communication network to store slide information and allow remote workstations to access digitized microscope slides from multiple data station units (DSUs), enabling direct connections and reducing bandwidth demands by providing slide information and allowing selection and viewing of slides based on user criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digitized microscope slides are stored in a central server for remote access, then users can access slides from any location, but the bandwidth requirements become extremely high due to the large file sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the digitized slide into multiple image tiles that can be individually requested and transmitted. Instead of transferring the entire slide at once, the system divides the large file into smaller manageable units (tiles) that are sent on-demand based on user viewing requirements, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing users to view slides at different magnification levels and quality settings based on their specific needs. The system transmits only the necessary portions of the slide at the appropriate resolution, rather than sending the complete high-resolution image, thereby optimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining viewing quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users connect to multiple servers to search for specific slides, then comprehensive slide access is possible, but the search process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the slide storage and search functionality into a unified distributed system where multiple servers work together through a common protocol. The search mechanism aggregates slide information across all connected servers, allowing users to search for slides across the entire network from a single interface, eliminating the need to manually connect to and search each server separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary search mechanism that mediates between the user and multiple slide servers. This intermediary layer handles the coordination of searching across multiple servers, managing the complexity of distributed storage while providing a simplified user interface, thereby reducing search time and improving convenience.
3Reliability
If the entire digitized slide is transferred to ensure complete viewing capability, then all image data is available, but the transfer time and network load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary portions of the slide image that the user actually needs to view. Instead of sending the complete slide, the system sends specific image tiles at appropriate magnification levels based on user interaction, providing sufficient viewing capability while minimizing data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through on-demand tile transmission. Image tiles are transmitted in periodic batches as the user navigates through the slide, rather than all at once. This allows the system to maintain reliable viewing capability while improving access speed by transferring data progressively based on actual user needs.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for accessing a slide from a plurality of digitized microscope slides from a remote workstation, wherein the plurality of digitized microscope slides are accessible via a plurality of data station units (DSU), the method comprising:providing a central management station unit (CMSU) connected to a communication network for storing slide information of the plurality of digitized microscope slides,allowing the workstation to connect to the CMSU via the communication network;providing at least a part of the slide information of the plurality of digitized microscope slides to the workstation;allowing the workstation to select a digitized microscope slide based on the provided slide information; andallowing for a direct connection over the communication network between the remote workstation and a DSU enabling access to the selected digitized microscope slide.The invention further relates to a system and a CMSU for carrying out the method.