Ultrasound Touch Panel False Operation Prevention
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses are prone to false operations due to unintentional contact with touch panels, which can reduce diagnosis efficiency and increase operator workload.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an image display controller and processor that display operable images on the touch panel, allowing only predetermined processing to occur if a specific operation limit condition is met, thereby preventing false operations by entering an operation limit mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch panel is provided overlaid on the display screen to enable intuitive input operations, then ease of operation is improved, but false operations due to unintentional contact occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting unintentional contact patterns (such as prolonged contact duration or contact on non-operable areas) before false operations can occur. The contact operation detector identifies problematic contact patterns and triggers prevention mechanisms, such as displaying notifications or disabling touch panel responsiveness, to counteract potential false operations before they affect diagnosis accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If all contact operations on the touch panel are allowed, then ease of operation is improved, but diagnosis accuracy deteriorates due to false operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by differentiating between operable and non-operable areas on the display screen. The contact operation detector specifically monitors contact operations on non-operable areas (such as the ultrasound image display region) and applies different response rules compared to operable areas (such as menu buttons). This localized approach allows free operation in appropriate areas while preventing false operations in areas where unintentional contact is likely to occur.
3Productivity
If the touch panel is made fully responsive, then productivity is improved through efficient input, but operator workload increases due to recovery from false operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies feedback by providing immediate visual notification when a potential false operation is detected. The notifier displays alerts that inform operators of unintentional contact patterns, allowing them to correct the situation without needing to understand complex system states or perform multiple recovery steps. This feedback mechanism simplifies the operator's workload by making the system's response to false operations transparent and easily manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus generates an ultrasound image based on a reception signal obtained by an ultrasound probe to display the ultrasound image in a display, the reception signal being of ultrasound transmitted from the ultrasound probe toward an inside of a subject and reflected at the inside of the subject. The apparatus includes: an image display controller that causes the display to display at least one operable image indicating a target of a contact operation in a touch panel provided so as to overlaid on a screen of the display; and a processor that carries out predetermined processing corresponding to the operable image as the target of the contact operation in response to the contact operation in the touch panel. The processor skips the predetermined processing corresponding to a predetermined operable image among the operable image if a predetermined operation limit condition is satisfied.