Evaluation of an ultrasonic free-space mouse to control an image workstation
Alan H. Rowberg, Paul Li, Judith A. Ramey · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1993
We evaluated a prototype free-space pointing device with a medical image display workstation. The target environment is the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where there is very little counter space available, and image workstations are used intermittently and for short periods of time. Managers of the typical ICU do not want to dedicate space to PACS, but would rather mount the image monitors through the wall at eye level, so they can be viewed from the hallway. The hallway image viewing location allows use by a large number of people, as when making morning ward rounds or teaching rounds. Because many physicians are accustomed to graphical user interfaces and pointing devices, the transition to the free- space mouse is an easy and natural one. The use of a free-space mouse allows a very flexible interaction and intuitive graphical user interface, but does not require a horizontal surface, and is easily operated with one hand from the standing position.