Automatic layout selection for information monitoring system

[0001] [Technical field to which the invention belongs] The present invention relates to methods and devices used to display information. More specifically, the present invention relates to the display of information using a configurable arrangement of interface components. [0002] Background of the Invention Patient monitors, computers, and similar devices present information on surveillance devices or monitors such as CRT displays, flat panel displays, or similar devices. Images displayed on monitors are often built into a graphical user interface (GUI), which contains one or more windows, icons, buttons, menus, and similar control elements. Sometimes, these elements can be selected using various mechanisms such as pointing devices and pointers. [0003] In general, a GUI consists of a set of components. The user-definable contents of this set of components, the attributes of the components, and the arrangement of the components are called "layouts". For patient monitoring applications, GUI components often display survival sign waveforms with parameter blocks that display real-time information about patient survival signs and provide control means to adjust the display of that information. It includes a waveform window that displays in real time and provides control means for adjusting the display of the waveform, control buttons assigned various functions, and a timer for timing activities. .. In many patient monitoring systems, the GUI is configured to display all components in the layout, even if the work or activity associated with that component is not being used. For example, the GUI is configured to display blood pressure, body temperature, blood oxygen levels and ECG (ECG) waveforms, even if only blood pressure, blood oxygen levels and body temperature are monitored. The components associated with are still visible in the GUI (although unused components are displayed in an invalid form). [0004] The active components of the GUI change at each stage of diagnosis and treatment. Similar changes include changes in the nursing equipment that monitors the patient, changes in the type of nursing equipment used by the monitoring system, changes in the type of medical treatment being performed, or other similar changes. It is likely to occur if there is a change. In addition, different users (surgeons, anesthesiologists, general practitioners, nurses, etc.) often have different patient information to monitor. Therefore, the active components of the GUI change frequently. [0005] [Summary of Invention] It is preferable that the layout of the GUI can be changed according to the user's request and the stage of medical treatment. However, current information monitoring systems that use interface component configurations do not have this capability. The present invention provides methods and devices for automating GUI layout changes for information monitoring systems. The system determines the active (ie, currently in use) components of the current layout, changing the functionality of the system (eg, adding additional sensors) or changing the environment of the system (eg, some medical procedure). Monitor the system to detect (switching from to another medical procedure). After detecting one or more changes in the system, the system considers the groups of layouts available and determines which layout (if any) fits more closely with the changed system. To do. If an available layout fits more closely with the modified system, the system modifies the layout to the user either by performing an automatic layout change or switch, or by presenting a choice of layout options. Prompt. Alternatively, the system may do nothing immediately when changes occur, and the system may check system thresholds. If the system is configured to check thresholds, the system will not switch layouts until the value based on the correspondence between the modified system and one of the available layouts exceeds the threshold. [0006] Layout changes include changing the entire layout (a layout with multiple and usually different components), sub-layouts (a more specific form of the entire layout), and a waveform window (a component designed to illustrate a waveform). It can include changes or changes in parameter blocks (components designed to display non-waveform information). [0007] As is clear from the above, it is one of the advantages of the present invention to be able to provide a method and a system for changing (ie, switching) the layout of the information monitoring system. Other features and advantages relating to the present invention will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. [0008] BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Before elaborating on one embodiment of the invention, it is noted that the invention is not limited to application to the details of the structure and arrangement of the components listed in the following description or shown in the drawings. Should be understood. The present invention can be in other embodiments and can be realized or implemented in various ways. In addition, it should be understood that the expressions and terms used herein are for illustration purposes only and should not be considered limiting. [0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a patient monitoring system 10 displaying information on a monitoring device or monitor 12. System 10 represents an exemplary system, which can display various types of information according to the functions of the system used at any specific time point. Of course, the present invention also includes other types of information monitoring systems, such as systems designed to monitor devices, animals, or other entities. [0010] The system 10 includes a plurality of sensors, which include a blood pressure sensor 14, a body temperature sensor 16, an ECG electrode 18, a blood oxygen sensor 20, and a respiratory sensor 22. Other sensors can be added to the system, and the illustrated sensors can be removed from the system. The type of sensor used depends on the type of activity being monitored. Each of these sensors outputs a data signal transmitted to the processor 30. The processor 30 processes the signal from the sensor using an algorithm well known in the art to create a graphic display on the monitor 12. Processor 30 may also receive information from another source (eg, a second patient) over network link 32. [0011] Information from sensors 14-22 is displayed by a graphical user interface (GUI) 35, as is best seen with reference to FIG. This GUI35 contains a number of components used to build or configure Layout 39. In general, a layout is just one configuration of components, but as used herein, a layout is generally referred to as a display on a monitor for viewing monitored activity. It means the whole group of components to make. The layout does not include the components that are part of the operating system's basic GUI. As shown in FIG. 2, layout 39 has a bed layout 40 (which simply means a layout that includes other components). The components inside the bed layout 40 include the waveform window 41, the control means 42 for the waveform window 41, the sublayout 43, the command buttons 45, the procedure timer 47, the message window 49, and the parameter block 51. included. [0012] The number and type of sensors used in System 10 will depend on the type of information the end user wants to observe. Therefore, additional sensors can be added to the system, sensors can be removed from the system, and sensors can be deactivated as desired by the user. The number and type of active sensors determines the functionality of the system 10. If the system 10 is configured without a blood pressure sensor, it is self-evident that the system 10 does not have the ability to measure blood pressure. Further, if the system has a blood pressure sensor but the sensor is not in operation, the system 10 is treated as having no function of measuring the blood pressure. The same rules apply to other types of sensors. [0013] The way the system 10 displays information can be changed through control means 42 and control buttons 45 associated with its layout 39. The control means 42 and the control button 45 provide an end user with a mechanism for adjusting the display of information to suit the user's preferences or needs. For example, the user can use the control means 42 to adjust the position of the waveform and the height of the waveform. GUI components are further preferably created with standard window-type controls that allow the component to be resized and repositioned. With the control button 45, the user can configure the waveform window by adjusting the speed at which the waveform travels through the screen, for example, still the waveform and other parameter readings, print the waveform, clear the parameter readings to zero, and mute the running alarm. , It is possible to observe information from other information sources via the network link 32, or to adjust the alarm setting value. [0014] As mentioned above, each layout 39 can be treated as a user-definable content of a set of components, component attributes, and component placement in GUI35. Each sublayout 43 has a width W and a height H. In the embodiments described herein, the height and width of any sub-layout 43 that replaces or is switched from the existing sub-layout must match the height and width of the existing sub-layout. .. Unlike the bed layout, the sub-layout cannot contain another sub-layout. [0015] Each waveform window 41 has a waveform window layout (related to the method of displaying the waveform in the waveform window). Any waveform window layout can be any waveform regardless of the size of the waveform window, or the position of the waveform window within the contained bed layout or contained sublayout (if applicable). Can be applied to windows. The waveform window 41 is used to display information (such as ECG information and respiratory information) that is optimally represented by a time-varying waveform. [0016] Each layout 39 can include any number of waveform windows 41 or sub-layouts 43. A list of layouts is called a "layout group". In general, layout groups contain a collection of similar layouts. That is, if a layout group contains a bed layout, that layout group contains only the bed layout. Similarly, layout groups can be configured from a list of waveform window layouts. [0017] Layout groups are defined using the Layout Group Settings window or the Layout Group Settings dialog box 60 (Figure 3). Dialog Box 60 provides a mechanism that allows the user to browse, view, edit, and specify layout groups. Dialog Box 60 includes a Layout Group window 62 with scroll bars 64. The Layout Groups window 62 displays the layout groups specified for System 10. When the user selects a specific group by clicking or pressing on its name, the details of that group use the Group Contents window 66, the Auto Switch button 68A, and the group-wide event action. Appears in the Attributes window 68 with the button 68B and in the Group Details table or Group Details window 69. [0018] The Group Attributes window 68 provides a Group-Wide Event Actions table 70 with Event Columns 70A, Event Details Column 70B, Actions Column 70C, and Action Details Column 70D. Includes. The user can edit the currently displayed layout group by selecting the "Edit" button 71. After the user presses the "Edit" button 71, the name, group details, group content, and layout group content can be changed. The "Type" of the "Layout Group" cannot be changed. [0019] Dialog Box 60 further includes a "Delete" button 72 and a "New" button 74. When the user selects the Delete button 72, System 10 prompts the user to confirm the deletion of the currently selected layout group. System 10 then deletes the selected layout group. When the user presses the "new" button 74, the system waits for the user to enter information about the new layout group. The information requested by System 10 includes the type of layout within the group (bed layout, corrugated window layout, or sub-layout). After this information is entered, System 10 then creates a new unnamed group and enters edit mode to allow the user to make any necessary modifications, including naming the group. [0020] Dialog Box 60 is designed to allow the user to add or edit certain input items in the Group Details window 69 by selecting a line in the Group Details window 69. By selecting a row, the system displays a summary (not shown) of the settings for the selected input item. The Group Details window contains additional features in the form of Layout Column 75, Event Column 76, Event Details Column 77, Action Column 78, and Action Details Column 79. When you select a new row in the Layout column of the Group Details window, System 10 adds the new layout to the active layout group. After the user selects a layout, System 10 displays the Event-Action Details dialog box 80 (Figure 4). The Event-Action Details dialog box (not shown) is also displayed if the user has selected a row from the Group-Wide Events Actions table 70. [0021] [0021] The bed layout and the layout of the corrugated windows and sub-layouts included in the bed layout are called "layout sets". The layout set is effective only when the layout set can be drawn on the display 12. Therefore, a layout set always has one bed layout and can contain any number of corrugated windows and sub-layouts. How well the entire layout matches the current functionality of System 10 depends on the composite set of corrugated window layouts and sub-layouts contained within the bed layout of the entire layout. [0022] To ensure that layout 39 of GUI35 matches the functionality of the system, the system 10 is designed so that the user can preprogram the method of responding to changes in the functionality of the system or the environment. In the systems described herein, there are two categories or types of changes that can occur. The first type of change or condition relates to a change in the functioning of the system (eg, the addition of a blood oxygen sensor). In the first state, the layout is modified to match the GUI display of information related to the added or deleted feature. The second type of change or condition is a change in the system environment (eg, a change in the user, a change in the stage of the case, a change in the nursing device that monitors the patient, the type of nursing device that is using system 10. Changes, changes in the type of medical procedure being performed, or other similar changes). In the second state, the layout is modified according to user-specific requirements. [0023] When configuring system 10, the user can specify to system 10 to do nothing in response to changes in the system (default setting, referred to herein as option 1). The user can also instruct the system to perform an automatic layout switch (option 2), or the user will perform an automatic layout switch after the user approves the changes presented (option 3). ) Can be specified. Finally, the system can provide a list of layouts to be selected by the user (or "layout groups" as described above) (option 4). At this time, a preview of how the display changes after making changes to each layout in the layout list is shown. [0024] In options 2-4, the user specifies a list of possible layouts (ie, layout groups) to switch to according to the specific type of system change. Layout groups specify that when a new layout is created in the system for a particular type, it can be automatically switched without the need to add that new layout to an existing layout group. This is the entire list of layouts. The user can further specify the behavior of options 2-4 by designating the layout group to apply the "best guess" algorithm when a change in the functionality of the system occurs. That is, the best guess algorithm can be applied when the first state change occurs. In options 2 and 3, the system takes the best guess from the layout group to extract, or select, the one layout that most closely matches the current function of system 10, that is, the active function. You are using an algorithm. In option 4, the system uses the best guessing algorithm to rank the possible layout sets in order from optimal match to least suitable match for the system's current set of features. When using option 3, the user can choose between canceling the layout switch, performing the layout switch, or choosing an alternative layout set. If the user chooses an alternative pair, the system behaves as if it were configured to implement option 4. [0025] Returning to the description in Figure 4, the Event-Action Details dialog box 80 provides a mechanism for defining the details of the action the user should take when a specific event occurs on System 10. There is. If an action is listed in the Group-Wide Event Actions table 70, that action is the default for all layouts in the layout group. As specified in the Group Details table 69, the action is specified for an event that occurs only when that particular layout is active. A specific layout may be specified to exist in multiple layout groups. However, the action taken for a specific event in a layout can be a one-time rule. [0026] The Event-Action Details dialog box 80 contains four tabs 82, 83, 84 and 85 (events, actions, algorithms and weights) corresponding to options (events, actions, algorithms, weights) for the four areas. Will be discussed in more detail below). On the Events tab 82, the user can use the Features button 87 and the Environment button 89 to specify whether the layout responds to changes in system functionality or environment. If you select the "Function" button 87, make no further adjustments to the system. If the Environment button 89 is selected, System 10 waits for additional data entry via the Change Type dialog box 91 and the Change Details dialog box 93. In this method, the system prompts the user to specify the type of environmental change and a concrete example of the environmental type. For example, in the illustrated exemplary "Event-Action Details" dialog box, the event specified is a change to "anesthesiologist" for the type "user". [0027] As shown in Figure 5, the Actions tab 83 provides a mechanism that allows the user to select one of four action buttons: option buttons, 95, 96, 97 and 98. (These options correspond to options 1 to 4 specified above). If a button other than the "do nothing" button 95 is selected, the user can specify the layout to switch to. System 10 displays a list of layouts with types that match the selected option in the Possible Layouts window 100. Then, by selecting the desired layout, the user selects from the list of displayed layouts in the "possible layouts" window 100. If the user does not select at least one layout after selecting buttons 96, 97 or 98, System 10 will automatically use one of the specified algorithms for the relevant action or event. Create a layout set in. Additional options are available if the user is configuring event actions for the entire group. That is, the system displays a "Use group-wide action" button (not shown). [0028] As shown in FIG. 6, the Algorithms tab 84 provides the user with a mechanism that allows the user to select an algorithm to be executed by the system 10 to switch layouts as soon as an event occurs. The Algorithms tab contains four algorithm buttons 102, 103, 104 and 105, and a Currently Learned Weights window 107 with Priority columns 108 and Layout columns 109. System 10 enables these algorithm buttons 102-105 and the user makes algorithm selections using these buttons only if the user selects an action by the mechanism provided by the Actions tab 83. be able to. [0029] The "basic" best guess algorithm (enabled by selecting button 102) determines the correspondence between the components of the layout currently in use and the active features of System 10. This algorithm assigns a perfect score to a layout set that exactly matches the parameters monitored by the system. If the layout set contains extra parameters, the score for that layout set will be lower than that of a perfect match, but higher than that of any layout set that lacks parameters. To. Each parameter is considered equivalent to all other parameters. However, this best guessing algorithm does not consider command buttons, message windows, or procedure timers. [0030] Selecting button 103 enables the "weighting system" algorithm. This algorithm builds on top of the best guess algorithm by assigning some user-definable weights to certain parameters and / or GUI components. GUI components or parameters that match the functionality of System 10 are multiplied by this weight. No weighting is given to missing components. The layout with the highest weighted score is considered to have the highest correspondence with the system, i.e. it is selected for use in the GUI. A variant of the "weighting system" algorithm is the "weighting system function (by environment)" algorithm. This algorithm is enabled by selecting button 104. In the "weighting system function (by environment)" algorithm, each of the specific parameters and GUI components receives different weights for different states regarding specific environmental aspects. For example, while it may be important to display the procedure timer when used in the operating room, it may be more important to display the message window in the ICU. Therefore, these parameters will be weighted differently depending on the environment in which the monitoring is being performed (eg, operating room or ICU). Finally, an artificial intelligence algorithm, or "learning" algorithm, may be used, in which the system 10 builds its own weights for the layout set for specific system configurations and environmental conditions. This algorithm can be enabled by selecting button 105. In this "learning" algorithm, if a layout set is automatically switched and the user does not change the layout switch, the system subsequently applies a larger weight to the layout set. If the user changes the layout immediately after performing the automatic switching, the current configuration of the system will be affected. Negative weighting is given to the layout set. If the user is provided with a list of layout tuples to select from, the selected tuples are given greater weight afterwards unless the user immediately changes the layout tuples. The "learning" algorithm can be used in conjunction with the previous three algorithms. If the user selects the "learn" algorithm by selecting the "learn from user selection" button 105, the system 10 will perform an automatic layout switch based on a specific event to determine the destination layout and its priority. List it in the second Weights tab or in another dialog box (not shown). [0031] GUI component weights for configured events can be assigned by the user using the mechanism provided on the Weights tab 85, as best seen in Figure 7. System 10 allows weight assignment only if the user has not selected the Use Group-Wide Event Actions button 68B in the Attributes window 68. The Weights tab includes the Use Global button 120 and the Use Designated button 122. When the user selects the Global button 120, the global weights for that event are displayed and the user can change these weights using the input mechanisms 124-146 of the Weights window 150. When the user selects the Use Specify button 122, the global settings for the event of interest are copied and displayed in the Weights window 150. Changes made to weights in the Weights window will not be reflected in the global settings for that event. [0032] Although the Weights tab 85 provides a mechanism for adjusting component weights, System 10 allows you to use the Weights tab to remove any component from a user-selected layout. Not. If you assign a non-global, or non-group-wide, weight to a specific event that you configure, System 10 assigns a default weight of "1" to all components in that layout. The user can then specify or adjust each of the component weights. In addition, global weights can be adjusted using the Edit Global Weights button 155 in dialog box 60 (Figure 3). When the user selects the Edit Global Weights button 155, System 10 displays an Adjustment Weights dialog box (not shown) similar to the Event-Actions dialog box 80. However, there are no Actions tabs and Algorithms tabs. This "Adjustment Weights" dialog box can provide a mechanism for adjusting component weights. [0033] Another feature of the present invention relates to a user-specified threshold for switching layouts. The user can specify system-wide thresholds. System 10 then compares this threshold with the score for the current layout set generated by the layout switching algorithm currently in use (which can be one of the algorithms described above). If this threshold is not exceeded, the system will still have a layout in the layout group that more closely matches (ie, has a correspondence) with the current functionality of system 10. It does not switch layouts and does not prompt the user to change the layout. The user can set a threshold so that switching does not occur if the current layout set contains all of the parameters required by the current set of system features. However, if any of the parameters are missing in the current layout set, the system will immediately switch layouts using one of the layout switching algorithms. [0034] Figures 8 to 13 show the final results of implementing the above algorithm. In detail, these figures illustrate changes from the layout shown in Figure 2 to various different layouts (ie, layout switching). [0035] Figure 8 illustrates the implementation of option 3 with a pop-up list or dialog box 160 for the user to indicate that the user is now trying to change the entire layout to the new bed layout "Bedlayout 1". It is presented. The layouts listed in dialog box 160, as well as the other selections listed in the dialog box above, are collectively referred to as "selections." The dialog box 160 includes an acceptance mechanism in the form of an "OK" button 162 for confirming the switch, a default selection button 163, and a "Cancel" button 164 for canceling the layout switch. When the user selects the "OK" button 162, this layout is switched to the layout 170 shown in FIG. Layout 170 contains different parameter blocks 172 and contains different message windows 174. [0036] FIG. 10 illustrates a process that can switch the waveform window layout. If System 10 detects a change in system functionality that affects parameter switching or information displayed as a waveform, System 10 generates a Waveform dialog box 180 with a list of one or more preferred waveform layouts 182. Let me. [0037] The dialog box 180 includes an OK or "switch to selection" button 184, a "cancel" button 186, and a "disable automatic switching" button 188. When the user selects the "Switch to Selection" button 184, the waveform window 41 is replaced with the waveform window 190 (FIG. 11). The waveform window 190 includes an additional waveform display 192 corresponding to an additional ECG read (III). [0038] FIG. 12 illustrates a process in which the sub-layout can be switched. When system 10 detects a parameter switch associated with the information displayed in the sublayout, system 10 generates a "sublayout" dialog box 200 with a list of one or more preferred sublayout configurations 202. The dialog box 200 includes an OK, i.e., a "switch to selection" button 204, a "cancel" button 206, and a "disable automatic switching" button 208. When the user selects the "Switch to Selection" button 204, the sub-layout 43 is replaced by the sub-layout 210 (FIG. 13). [0039] As can be seen from the above, the present invention can provide methods and systems for switching the layout of an information monitoring system. Furthermore, the present invention can provide methods and systems for switching the layout components of an information monitoring system. [0040] Various features and advantages of the present invention are listed in the claims. [Simple explanation of drawings] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a patient monitoring system. FIG. 2 is a schematic layout of an exemplary layout displayed on the monitor of the patient monitoring system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the Layout Group Settings dialog box. FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the Action Details dialog box with the Events tab selected. FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the Action Details dialog box of FIG. 4 with the Actions tab selected. FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the Action Details dialog box of FIG. 4 with the Algorithm tab selected. FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the Action Details dialog box of FIG. 4 with the Weights tab selected. FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the layout shown in FIG. 2 with a dialog box consisting of options presented to switch an existing layout to a second layout. FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a second layout displayed on the monitor of a patient monitoring system after making a selection from the dialog box shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the layout shown in FIG. 2, with a dialog box consisting of options presented to change the waveform window layout. FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a third layout displayed on the monitor of a patient monitoring system after making a selection from the dialog box shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the layout shown in FIG. 2, with a dialog box consisting of options presented to change the subgroup or sublayout. FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a fourth layout displayed on the monitor of a patient monitoring system after making a selection from the dialog box shown in FIG. [Explanation of symbols] 12 Surveillance device 10 Patient monitoring system 35 Graphical User Interface (GUI) 39 layout 40 bed layout 41 Waveform window 42 Control means for waveform window 43 Sub-layout 45 Command button 47 Procedure timer 49 Message window 51 Parameter block