Abstract: An image capture unit for use in a medical imaging system can be coupled to an endoscopic camera, an external monitor, and a network. The image capture unit includes a touch-screen display to generate a graphical user interface and to receive associated user inputs. The image capture unit receives live video generated by the endoscopic camera, displays the video on the external monitor and/or the display, and stores the live video. The image capture unit can also store the live video in a remote computer system via the network. The image capture unit further can capture and store still images based on the live video and can store the still images in the remote computer system. “One-touch” network login and storage allows these operations to be performed in response to a single touch by the user.

Abstract: An image capture device in an endoscopic imaging system receives a video stream generated by an endoscopic video camera. In response to automatic recognition of a spoken utterance while the video stream is being received from the endoscopic video camera, the image capture device associates with the video stream an annotation that corresponds to the spoken utterance. The image capture device provides the video stream to a display device for display, such that the annotation can be overlaid on one or more frames of the video stream displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A multi-user voice control system for use in endoscopic imaging system includes a first input channel, a second input channel, an automatic speech recognizer (ASR), a control unit, and a selector. The first input channel receives speech of a first user, and the second input channel receives speech of a second user. The ASR recognizes speech received on the first channel and recognizes speech received on the second channel. The control unit enables the voice control system to control a device in the endoscopic imaging system in response to recognized speech. The selector selectively determines whether recognized speech associated with the first channel or recognized speech associated with the second channel is used to control the device, by applying a selection priority to the first and second channels.

Abstract: A method for remote control of devices. A remote control device receives a graphical user interface from a controlled device. The graphical user interface is periodically updated with controlled device data. The controlled device data is interrupted by command data from the remote control device. The controlled device responds to the command data and updates the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A multi-function image capture unit for use in an endoscopic camera system is provided. The image capture unit includes a touch-screen LCD display for generating a graphical user interface and for receiving associated user inputs. The image capture unit is configured to be coupled to an endoscopic camera, an external monitor, and a network. The image capture unit receives live video generated by the endoscopic camera, displays the video on the external monitor and the LCD display, and stores the live video within the image capture unit. Prior to recording, the video is buffered and compressed. The image capture unit can also store the live video in a remote computer system via the network. The image capture unit can also capture and store still images based on the live video as well as store the still images in the remote computer system. “One-touch” network login and storage allows these operations to be performed in response to a single touch by the user.