Ultrasound Display Color Coding for Information Association

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In medical imaging systems, it is challenging for users to distinguish and associate large amounts of information displayed across different regions of a screen, leading to increased analysis time and potential for improper diagnosis due to the complexity of information presentation.

Innovation Solution

A medical image display system that includes color-coded regions for both medical images and non-image data, with visual indications to associate data across different display areas, facilitating the identification and correlation of information through segmental spatial views.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple pieces of information are displayed on the same screen in different formats and regions, then the quantity of information presented is improved, but the ease of operation and user ability to review and analyze the information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of informationVSAvoidease of information review and analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color coding to different types of information displayed on the screen. Each region or type of data is assigned a specific color scheme, allowing users to quickly distinguish between different information categories (e.g., anatomical structures, measurements, annotations) without having to read each element individually. This visual differentiation directly addresses the contradiction by maintaining high information quantity while improving ease of review through intuitive color-based categorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen is divided into multiple distinct regions, each dedicated to specific types of information (e.g., imaging area, measurement data, patient information). This segmentation allows the system to present comprehensive information across different screen areas while reducing cognitive overload by organizing content into manageable, spatially-separated sections. Users can focus on one region at a time while understanding the overall context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If information is displayed in different portions of the screen, then the quantity of information is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring associations between information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of informationVSAvoiddifficulty of associating information
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses consistent color coding across different screen regions to indicate associations between information elements. For example, related measurements and anatomical structures share the same color scheme, enabling users to detect relationships between distributed information without explicit labeling. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining information distribution across screen portions while making associations visually apparent through color consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces visual indicators such as colored borders, highlights, or connecting elements that act as intermediaries between information in different screen regions. These indicators facilitate the detection of associations by providing visual bridges between related data points separated in space, thereby reducing the difficulty of detecting information relationships while maintaining comprehensive information display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If closely presented information is displayed to maximize screen usage, then the area utilization is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring closely presented information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen area utilizationVSAvoiddifficulty of distinguishing information
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies distinct color coding to closely presented information elements, enabling users to distinguish between adjacent data points, traces, or annotations even when they occupy similar screen space. The color differentiation provides an additional visual dimension that complements spatial arrangement, allowing maximum screen utilization while maintaining clear distinguishability of closely presented information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enhances specific local regions of the display with visual indicators such as colored highlights, borders, or background shading around closely presented information elements. This local quality enhancement ensures that even though elements are closely spaced to maximize screen usage, each element maintains its visual distinctiveness through localized visual properties that facilitate easy differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9024971B2User interface and method for identifying related information displayed in an ultrasound system
Publication Date: 2015.05.05 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
  • US9024971B2 patent drawing
  • US9024971B2 patent drawing
  • US9024971B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A user interface and method for identifying related information displayed in an ultrasound system are provided. A medical image display of the ultrasound system includes a first region configured to display a medical image having color coded portions and a second region configured to display non-image data related to the medical image displayed in the first region. The non-image data is color coded to associate the non-image data with the color coded portions of the medical image.