Input/output interface for computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system

Abstract

A user interface for facilitating a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) includes an image input device that receives and scans the multiple images, and a film feeder that transports films from a film developer to the scanner. A multi-image identification input device uses bar code reading, numeric keypad, keyboard, network, and/or mouse to enter multiple image identification prior to image scanning. A display includes an image identification area, case processing status area, and a CAD detection and user modification area. The user can edit CAD results—accept, remove—and can add new diagnosis results to create a new composite diagnosis result.

1 . An input/output interface for a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system, the input/output interface comprising: 
 an image display to display one or more indications of suspected abnormalities identified by the CAD system; and    a user interface to permit a user to edit at least one of the indications of suspected abnormalities.    
     
     
         2 . The input/output interface of  claim 1 , wherein said user interface permits the user to perform at least one operation selected from the group consisting of: 
 accepting an indication;    rejecting an indication; and    adding a new indication.    
     
     
         3 . The input/output interface of  claim 2 , wherein each of said accepting, rejecting, and adding is shown in a different way on said image display.  
     
     
         4 . The input/output interface of  claim 3 , wherein said different way comprises a quality of a line indicating a suspected abnormality.  
     
     
         5 . The input/output interface of  claim 1 , wherein said user interface comprises at least one pointing device.  
     
     
         6 . A CAD system comprising the input/output interface of  claim 1  and a computer system running software for performing CAD processing.  
     
     
         7 . A method of providing an input/output interface for a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system, the method comprising: 
 displaying one or more indications of suspected abnormalities identified by the CAD system; and    permitting a user to edit at least one of the indications of suspected abnormalities.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said permitting comprises at least one of the group consisting of: 
 permitting the user to accept an indication;    permitting the user to reject an indication; and    permitting the user to add a new indication.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 showing each of accepting, rejecting, and adding an indication in a different way.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said different way comprises a quality of a line indicating a suspected abnormality.  
     
     
         11 . A computer-readable medium containing software that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the method according to  claim 7 .  
     
     
         12 . A CAD system comprising: 
 a processor running CAD software; and    the computer-readable medium according to  claim 11 , said computer-readable medium being coupled to said processor.    
     
     
         13 . A method of reviewing results generated by a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system, the method comprising: 
 viewing a display of one or more indications of suspected abnormalities identified by the CAD system; and    editing at least one of said indications of suspected abnormalities.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said editing comprises: 
 using a pointing device to select a suspected abnormality.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said editing comprises at least one of the group consisting of: 
 accepting an indication;    rejecting an indication; and    adding a new indication.