Patent US5853367A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5853367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Task-interface and communications system and method for ultrasound imager control
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1997-03-17
•
Granted: 1998-12-29
•
Expires: 2017-03-17
Abstract
Abstract Complex equipment operated by a plurality of computerized task functions is coupled to a host processor which controls operation of a plurality of task functions performed by the equipment. Included in the equipment are a plurality of client processors, a communications network coupling the host processor to the client processors, and a plurality of programs providing respective task interfaces for running selected task functions of the equipment on any of the client processors as remote processes. Each task interface program includes a library of communications handlers and a designated task interface. When the complex equipment comprises an ultrasound imager system, the task functions of shaping a transmit waveform and shading the transducer reception parameters are performed through preferred embodiments of such task interfaces. A voice input task function may also be run as a remote process coupled to the imager host through the network interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl Lawrence Chalek
- 👤 William Macomber Leue
- 👤 William Thomas Hatfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/50; G06F9/5005; G06F9/5027; G06F9/5055; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G06F2209/00; G06F2209/50; G06F2209/509; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A system for controlling complex equipment which is operated by a plurality of computerized task functions, comprising: (a) a host processor coupled to the complex equipment for controlling operation of the plurality of task functions; (b) a plurality of client processors each having processing means for running a selected task function of the complex equipment as a remote process therefrom; (c) a communications network coupling the host processor to the client processors, said host and client processors being provided with respective communication handlers operable with said network for requesting connection of any of the client processors to the host processor, sending commands from the client processor to the host processor, handling of commands by the host processor, communicating responses to commands from the host processor to the client processor, and closing the connection with the host processor; and (d) a plurality of task interface programs each providing a respective task interface for running a selected task function of the complex equipment on any of the client processors, wherein a task interface program corresponding to the selected task function requested by a client processor resides on the client processor so that the task function can be run as a remote process on the client processor through the corresponding task interface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
A system for controlling complex equipment which is operated by a plurality of computerized task functions, comprising: (a) a host processor coupled to the complex equipment for controlling operation of the plurality of task functions; (b) a plurality of client processors each having processing means for running a selected task function of the complex equipment as a remote process therefrom; (c) a communications network coupling the host processor to the client processors, said host and client processors being provided with respective communication handlers operable with said network for requesting connection of any of the client processors to the host processor, sending commands from the client processor to the host processor, handling of commands by the host processor, communicating responses to commands from the host processor to the client processor, and closing the connection with the host processor; and (d) a plurality of task interface programs each providing a respective task interface for running a selected task function of the complex equipment on any of the client processors, wherein a task interface program corresponding to the selected task function requested by a client processor resides on the client processor so that the task function can be run as a remote process on the client processor through the corresponding task interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said respective task interface comprises communications task means for listening for connection requests from any of said client processors on a plurality of communications channels of said network and for establishing connections with the client processors and handling commands sent therefrom in a prioritized order.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as defined in claim 2, wherein said respective task interface comprises background task means for performing the commands sent from said client processors which are prioritized in order by said communications task means as a background function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as defined in claim 3, wherein said communications task means is adapted to prioritize the commands from said client processors in a queue to be performed by said background task means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the complex equipment comprises an ultrasound imager system provided with a probe having an array of transducer elements for transmitting an ultrasound wave in response to transmit waveform signals applied to the transducer elements and for converting echoes received by the transducer elements into ultrasound image signals for display by said imager system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system as defined in claim 5, wherein said ultrasound imager system is adapted to perform task functions including shaping a transmit waveform by specifying its transmit waveform signals, and shading received echoes by specifying attenutation parameters applied to the transducer elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as defined in claim 6, wherein said plurality of task interface programs includes a waveform shaping task interface program for allowing a client processor to run a waveform shaping task interface as a remote process for specifying transmit waveform signals for shaping a transmit waveform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system as defined in claim 6, wherein said plurality of task interface programs includes a shading task interface program for allowing a client processor to run a shading task interface as a remote process for specifying attenutation parameters for shading reception of echoes through the transducer elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system as defined in claim 5, including a voice recognition system and an external processor, said voice recognition system being interfaced with said external processor, said external processor being coupled to said host processor through said communications network for operating a voice input task function for the ultrasound imager system as a remote process on the external processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as defined in claim 5 including a voice recognition system is coupled to said host processor through said communications network for operating a voice input function for the ultrasound imager system.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for controlling complex equipment which is operated by a plurality of task functions, comprising: (a) providing a host processor coupled to the complex equipment for controlling operation of the plurality of task functions; (b) providing a plurality of client processors each having processing means for running a selected task function of the complex equipment as a remote process therefrom; (c) coupling the host processor to the client processors via a communications network, said host and client processors being provided with respective communication handlers operable with said network for requesting connection of any of the client processors to the host processor, sending commands from the client processor to the host processor, handling of commands by the host processor, communicating responses to commands from the host processor to the client processor, and closing the connection with the host processor; and (d) constructing a plurality of task interface programs each providing a respective task interface for running a selected task function of the complex equipment on any of the client processors.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for controlling complex equipment which is operated by a plurality of task functions, comprising: (a) providing a host processor coupled to the complex equipment for controlling operation of the plurality of task functions; (b) providing a plurality of client processors each having processing means for running a selected task function of the complex equipment as a remote process therefrom; (c) coupling the host processor to the client processors via a communications network, said host and client processors being provided with respective communication handlers operable with said network for requesting connection of any of the client processors to the host processor, sending commands from the client processor to the host processor, handling of commands by the host processor, communicating responses to commands from the host processor to the client processor, and closing the connection with the host processor; and (d) constructing a plurality of task interface programs each providing a respective task interface for running a selected task function of the complex equipment on any of the client processors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as defined in claim 11 wherein, said task interface comprises communications task means for listening for connection requests from any of said client processors on a plurality of communications channels of said network and for establishing connections with the client processors and handling commands sent therefrom in a prioritized order.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein said task interface comprises background task means for performing the commands from said client processors which are prioritized in order by said communications task means as a background function.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 11, wherein said communications task means is adapted to prioritize the commands from said client processors in a queue to be performed by said background task means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method as defined in claim 11, wherein the complex equipment comprises an ultrasound imager system provided with a probe having an array of transducer elements for transmitting an ultrasound wave in response to transmit waveform signals applied to the transducer elements and for converting echoes received by the transducer elements into ultrasound image signals for display by said imager system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the ultrasound imager system is adapted to perform task functions including shaping a transmit waveform by specifying its transmit waveform signals, and shading received echoes by specifying attenutation parameters applied to the transducer elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the plurality of task interface programs includes a waveform shaping task interface program for allowing a client processor to run a waveform shaping task interface as a remote process for specifying transmit waveform signals for shaping a transmit waveform.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said plurality of task interface programs includes a shading task interface program for allowing a client processor to run a shading task interface as a remote process for specifying apodization parameters for shading reception of echoes through the transducer elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a voice recognition system interfaced with an external processor coupled to said host processor through said communications network for operating a voice input task function for the ultrasound imager system as a remote process on the external processor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a voice recognition system coupled to said host processor through said communications network for operating a voice input function for the ultrasound imager system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5778177A
Cited
US5709206A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-28 | 2002-06-29 | 2002-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-28 | 2006-06-29 | 2006-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-28 | 2010-06-29 | 2010-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |