Patent US6325540B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6325540B1
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US
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Method and apparatus for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit in a medical diagnostic system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1999-11-29
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Granted: 2001-12-04
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Expires: 2019-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit associated with a medical diagnostic system includes establishing a communication connection between the medical diagnostic system and a remote facility, communicating identification information from an electronic device coupled to the field replaceable unit to the remote facility, communicating configuration information from the remote facility to the medical diagnostic system, and configuring the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the configuration information from the remote facility. A corresponding apparatus includes a memory unit configured to store identification indicia associated with the field replaceable unit and a communication interface configured to communicate identification information from the identification indicia to a remote facility via a network.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian D. Lounsberry
- 👤 Jonathan R. Schmidt
- 👤 Stephen W. Gravelle
- 👤 Michael S. Idelchik
- 👤 James S. Shepard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 07:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/56; A61B5/00; A61B5/0002; A61B6/44; A61B6/4494; A61B6/54; A61B6/548; A61B6/58; A61B6/581; A61B8/00; A61B8/56; A61B8/565; G; G16; G16H; G16H40/00; G16H40/40; G16H40/60; G16H40/67; H; H05; H05G; H05G1/00; H05G1/08; H05G1/26; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/02; A61B2560/0266; A61B2560/0271
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit associated with a medical diagnostic system, the method comprising: establishing a communication connection between the medical diagnostic system and a remote facility; communicating identification information from an electronic device coupled to the field replaceable unit associated with the medical diagnostic system to the remote facility; communicating configuration information from the remote facility to an operating system of the medical diagnostic system; and remotely configuring the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the configuration information from the remote facility.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit associated with a medical diagnostic system, the method comprising: establishing a communication connection between the medical diagnostic system and a remote facility; communicating identification information from an electronic device coupled to the field replaceable unit associated with the medical diagnostic system to the remote facility; communicating configuration information from the remote facility to an operating system of the medical diagnostic system; and remotely configuring the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the configuration information from the remote facility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating operation information of the field replaceable unit to the remote facility.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising verifying the identification information with a subscription file at the remote facility.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating operation information of the field replaceable unit to the electronic device coupled to the field replaceable unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the operation information includes any one of install date, failure date, scan record, event log, usage data, and field failure code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification information includes any one of serial number, manufacturing date, filament calibration data, and model number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating new characterization information from the remote facility to the medical diagnostic system, the new characterization information providing for a change in performance level of the field replaceable unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising communicating new characterization information from the remote facility to the medical diagnostic system, the new characterization information providing for changes in the subscription file associated with the field replaceable unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring the medical diagnostic system is in accordance with characteristic information regarding operation of an x-ray tube, the x-ray tube being the field replaceable unit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus which provides for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit associated with a medical diagnostic system, the apparatus comprising: a memory unit configured to store identification and configuration indicia associated with the field replaceable unit; a microprocessor configured to communicate with an operating system of the medical diagnostic system, whereby the microprocessor reads and writes to the memory unit based on commands from the operating system; and a communication interface configured to communicate identification information to a remote facility via a network, the communication interface further being configured to receive configuration information from the remote facility to the operating system via the network, the configuration information being used for remote configuration of the medical diagnostic system.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus which provides for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit associated with a medical diagnostic system, the apparatus comprising: a memory unit configured to store identification and configuration indicia associated with the field replaceable unit; a microprocessor configured to communicate with an operating system of the medical diagnostic system, whereby the microprocessor reads and writes to the memory unit based on commands from the operating system; and a communication interface configured to communicate identification information to a remote facility via a network, the communication interface further being configured to receive configuration information from the remote facility to the operating system via the network, the configuration information being used for remote configuration of the medical diagnostic system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory unit stores operation data of the field replaceable unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the network comprises the Internet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the memory unit is physically coupled to an x-ray tube, the x-ray tube being the field replaceable unit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
91 words
A system for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit associated with a medical diagnostic system, the system comprising: means for establishing a communication connection between the medical diagnostic system and a remote facility; means for communicating identification information from an electronic device coupled to the field replaceable unit to the remote facility; means for communicating configuration information from the remote facility to an operating system of the medical diagnostic system; and means for remotely configuring the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the configuration information from the remote facility.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
91 words
A system for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit associated with a medical diagnostic system, the system comprising: means for establishing a communication connection between the medical diagnostic system and a remote facility; means for communicating identification information from an electronic device coupled to the field replaceable unit to the remote facility; means for communicating configuration information from the remote facility to an operating system of the medical diagnostic system; and means for remotely configuring the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the configuration information from the remote facility.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 , further comprising means for communicating operation information of the field replaceable unit to the remote facility.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein the operation information includes any one of install date, failure date, scan record, event log, usage data, and field failure code.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 , further comprising means for verifying the identification information with a subscription file at the remote facility.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 14 , further comprising means for updating a subscription file associated with the field replaceable unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the means for configuring the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the configuration information from the remote facility comprises downloading new operating system software to the medical diagnostic system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the new operating system software reconfigures the medical diagnostic system for different field service unit operating characteristics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the field replaceable unit comprises an x-ray tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 14 , further comprising an x-ray tube, the x-ray tube being the field replaceable unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-03 | 2005-06-04 | 2005-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-03 | 2009-06-04 | 2009-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-03 | 2013-06-04 | 2013-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |