The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 12, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 16, 1998
Laurence S. McCabe, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Janice Wojciechowski, Mountain View, CA (US);
Acuson Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for annotating an image captured by an ultrasound system, which has an input device with a plurality of console keys for receiving input from an operator. The plurality of console keys includes an alphanumeric input device, such as a keyboard, used for placing characters on the image. An annotation function is invoked by pressing a key of the alphanumeric input device. The annotation function is for placing a character on the image in response to a character code from the alphanumeric input device. In a further aspect of the invention, the input device is provided with a pointing device, such as a track ball, which is spaced apart from the alphanumeric input device such that unintentional invocation of the annotation function is minimized. According to the method of the present invention, a key of the alphanumeric input device is pressed. In response to a character code generated by pressing the key, the annotation function is invoked. Subsequent pressing of a key on the alphanumeric input device generates subsequent character codes, which are placed on the image displayed by the ultrasound system.