Ultrasound Touch Screen Interface for Space-Constrained Medical Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ultrasound systems face challenges in expanding their user interfaces due to limited space, leading to increased manufacturing costs when incorporating touch screens, and inefficient use of display area due to unconventional aspect ratios.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a touch screen user interface in ultrasound systems, featuring a display unit with a touch panel that divides the screen into areas for ultrasound images and touch screen menus, with rotation detection and approach sensing to dynamically adjust the display mode, allowing efficient use of display space and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch screen is installed on the control panel to expand the user interface, then the user interface functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost significantly increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display function and touch input function into a single integrated display unit. The display unit includes a display panel and a touch panel that work together as one component, eliminating the need for separate control panels and additional graphic cards. This integration reduces component count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining full touch screen functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays ultrasound images, presents menu interfaces, and accepts user touch inputs. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate components for display and control input, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing cost.
2Area of stationary object
If a display with conventional aspect ratio is used, then the display area is increased, but the display area is not efficiently used due to ultrasound image characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic display mode switching mechanism that adapts the display layout based on the selected ultrasound imaging mode. When a 3D ultrasound image is selected, the display switches to a first display mode optimized for 3D visualization. When a 2D ultrasound image is selected, it switches to a second display mode optimized for 2D visualization. This dynamic adaptation ensures maximum display area utilization efficiency for each specific imaging mode.
3Ease of operation
If the control panel size is increased to accommodate more controls, then the user interface functionality is improved, but the space utilization of the ultrasound system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control elements (physical buttons, switches, and controls on a large control panel) with a touch-sensitive display interface. Users interact with the system by touching the display screen directly, which eliminates the need for a separate, space-consuming control panel while maintaining comprehensive user interface functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a user interface in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system comprises a display unit for prompting a user to touch a desired one of hierarchically arranged soft buttons for triggering an execution of the function of the ultrasound system associated with the touched button. The display unit includes a display having a display with touch panel mounted. The display unit is configured to display a touch screen menu together with the ultrasound image on the display.