A Second Generation PACS Concept

The architecture problem for interactive systems is a hard problem. Objective, rational and well-informed analysis of interactive architectures is rare. This is not all due to sloppy thinking. Much of it is due to the many obstacles to progress in the area of software for interactive systems. The topic is inherently slippery, because it is hard to get a grip with either our hands or our feet. The minute we think we have a grasp of the main issues, new technologies rain down on us and wash away the islands of firm ground on which we are standing. Part of the problem has undoubtedly been a lack of appropriate standards. The GKS standard took a conservative approach to interactive input (Rosenthal et al. 1982), and the PHIGS standard (Shuey et al. 1986) has added no significant developments for interaction2.

The architectural bases of design re-use

Digital image workstations, located at various works places in the hospital, will provide the interfaces between fully digital picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and their medical users. From the users’ point of view, they can be regarded as “windows” to all the resources, documents, and data available in an integrated PACS, and radiology and hospital information systems (RIS/HIS). Advanced image workstations aim at far more than just replacing traditional lightboxes or alternators by digital technology. They will introduce new and improved ways of information handling in radiology, with the aims of increased diagnostic efficiency and improved patient care.

Digital Image Workstations

In developing interactive computer systems, the logical separation of the user interface from the application software is a well recognised design principle. The building of adaptive user interfaces requires this separation to be maintained during the specification and implementation stages. Maintaining this separation places special requirements on the communication between the user interface and the application software. This paper discusses the role of application modelling and knowledge based system approach for supporting these requirements. The design and implementation of an application model for constructing an exemplar adaptive user interface are presented and conclusions are drawn regarding the potential benefits of application modelling.

E Adhami

Papers

Application modelling for the provision of an adaptive user interface a knowledge based approach