Multiple modality interface for imaging systems including remote services over a network

Abstract

An imaging system coupled to a network, the network coupling imaging devices of at least first and second different imaging modalities, each modality including functions which are common to each of the first and second modalities, includes an imaging device, a network coupling the imaging device to a remote facility, an interface associated with the imaging device, and a pointing device for moving a pointer icon about the display and for selecting displayed icons. The network provides the imaging device with remote services from the remote facility. The interface includes a display and a programmed data processor for providing a uniform interface image on the display despite the specific modality. The uniform interface image includes a function navigation space including function icons corresponding to procedures which are common to both the first and second imaging modalities and a workspace adjacent the function navigation space for displaying, analyzing and manipulating images of a type consistent with the specific modality. When an icon is selected, the processor correlates the selected icon with a corresponding command and executes the command.