ImageNet: a global distributed database for color image storage, and retrieval in medical imaging systems

Abstract

The authors describe the overall system design for ImageNet and present a system prototype developed on an Ethernet network in the Computer Engineering Research Laboratory at the University of Arizona. ImageNet is a global distributed color image database and communications system with multiple database nodes and user workstations (WSs). Each database node serves a geographical region with several WS users. The database nodes are interconnected with a fiber optic backbone network. The first prototype of the ImageNet over Ethernet has been successfully implemented. The WS software showed that the user WS software provided the required functionality. One could make data dictionary requests, formulate queries, make single and multiple online as well as offline image transfers, and display images. The WS interface is simple to use, and requires little training for new users. The ImageNet system has applications to global teleradiology and telepathology imaging systems.<>