A freestanding, image processing device that is a component of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for radiology designed to be networked with a wide variety of diagnostic imaging systems [e.g., x-ray, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound (US), as well as a laboratory or hospital information system (HIS)]. It does not contain controls for the direct operation of a diagnostic imaging system and is designed to receive, archive, and transmit data both on-line and off-line. It is configured to provide limited or extensive capabilities to further process, manipulate and/or view patient images and information collected from diagnostic imaging systems.