Touch-Sensitive Mouse Hand Position Detection for Medical Image Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mouse input methods for medical image manipulation in PACS workstations are inadequate, requiring the use of keyboard shortcut modifier keys, which complicates operations and can be challenging for healthcare providers when simultaneously using a speech microphone, especially for multivariable and single-variable image manipulation operations like panning and zooming.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive input device, such as a touch-sensitive mouse, determines the user's hand position to enable specific image manipulation modes, allowing intuitive control of multivariable and single-variable operations without the need for keyboard shortcuts, enabling efficient image manipulation with one hand free to operate a speech microphone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional mouse with left and right buttons is used for image manipulation, then discrete input and selection commands can be provided, but the mouse cannot provide sufficient distinct inputs for multiple image manipulation operations simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the mouse interface by defining distinct hand positions (first position near support surface, second position away from support surface) that enable different image manipulation modes. This dimensional addition allows the mouse to provide multiple distinct inputs without adding physical buttons, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different image manipulation modes (select/move mode and pan/zoom mode) based on the detected hand position. The mouse button functions change their meaning depending on the hand position, allowing a single device to provide multiple operations adaptively without requiring separate controls for each function.
2Ease of operation
If keyboard shortcut modifier keys are used to activate panning and zoom operations, then additional control inputs can be provided, but the operations become more complex and challenging when simultaneously using a speech microphone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mode activation function from the keyboard and relocates it to the mouse interface through hand position detection. By taking out the keyboard shortcut requirement and implementing hand-position-based mode selection, the system eliminates the need for simultaneous keyboard and mouse operations, simplifying the control process especially when using speech microphones.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand position detection system acts as an intermediary between the user's physical state and the software mode selection. Instead of requiring direct keyboard input, the system uses hand position detection as an intermediate mechanism to automatically determine which manipulation mode should be active, making the control process more intuitive and less complex.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mouse buttons are added to provide sufficient inputs for all image manipulation operations, then distinct inputs can be provided for each operation, but the hardware becomes more complex and less ergonomic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing mouse buttons universal by enabling them to perform different functions based on hand position. The same physical button can trigger different operations (select/move vs. pan/zoom) depending on whether the hand is in the first or second position, eliminating the need for additional dedicated buttons for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mouse interaction space by defining distinct hand position regions (first position near support surface, second position away from support surface). This spatial segmentation allows the system to differentiate between operation types without adding physical components, maintaining mouse simplicity while achieving functional versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate the manipulation of medical images. In the context of a method, the position of a user's hand upon a touch sensitive input device may be determined. Determining the position may include detecting instances in which the user's hand is in either a first or second positions upon the touch sensitive input device. In the first position, the method may also include enabling a first image manipulation mode in which a first image manipulation operation is enabled and interpreting a first type of input to be directing the first image manipulation operation. However, in the second position, the method may include enabling a second image manipulation mode in which a second image manipulation operation is enabled and interpreting the first type of input to be directing the second image manipulation operation instead of the first image manipulation operation.