Bidirectional multi-signal communications

Abstract

An ultrasound communication system includes an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound base, and a channel. The ultrasound probe includes a first transmitter, a first interface for the first transmitter, a first receiver, and a second interface for the first receiver. The ultrasound base includes a second transmitter, a third interface for the second transmitter, a second receiver, and a fourth interface for the second receiver. The channel is connected to the first transmitter through the first interface, to the first receiver through the second interface, to the second transmitter through the third interface, and to the second receiver through the fourth interface. The first transmitter is configured to transmit first signals with a first differentiable signal characteristic to the second receiver. The first receiver is configured to receive second signals with a second differentiable signal characteristic from the second transmitter.

Description

BIDIRECTIONAL MULTI-SIGNAL COMMUNICATIONSBACKGROUND

[0001] Modem digital communication protocols typically have either separate dedicated transmit and receive lines, or a shared line in which a primary device sends commands and a secondary device responds with data and sometimes also with commands. A clock line may be transmitted along the separate lines or the shared line as well. Digital communication protocols that require separate dedicated transmit and receive lines require more wires, increasing the size of the cable which includes the wires. Protocols that share a wire often have thinner cables, but the standard synchronous protocols typically require the same speeds to be used on both the primary device and the secondary device.

[0002] In many modem digital applications the download data from a primary device to a secondary device is relatively small such as in ranges in megabytes per second (MB / s) while the upload data from the secondary device to the primary device is relatively large such as in ranges in gigabytes per second, or vice versa. This difference in download speed and upload speed is specifically true for digital ultrasound systems in which the transducer is the secondary device and the ultrasound base is the primary device. Typical protocols would require the lines in digital ultrasound systems to be mn on different wires.

[0003] As one example, download data speed in a digital prototype may be limited to 100 megabytes / s and the download time may be limited to 10 microseconds. Download time is often limited when mnning a download at these speeds to prevent high frequency content from coupling into the signal path and to reduce the complexity of the receiver. A single line can download 1 kilobytes in this time. For a single waveform with 8 bits of waveform accuracy and a desired waveform length of 256 samples, the total download package is over 2 kilobytes for the waveform alone. In such a system, multiple download lines must be used, with the number depending on the data download, and each line increasing the cost and complexity of the cable. Typically, the number of download lines will be limited for cost and cable thickness, adding design constraints to the system. The raw upload data rate for a digital transducer can range from 1 gigabytes / s to upwards of 100 gigabytes / s or more, with the data rate depending on the system parameters and the number of wires used to upload the data. In this example system, the number of wires used for upload may be larger than the number of wires used for download to bring the raw data rate down to a more achievable upload data rate per wire. While it is possible to use the high speed protocol to download data to the ultrasound probe, the high speed receiver technologies are power intensive such that it is preferable to keep the receiver topologies to low speeds to reduce power consumption.SUMMARY

[0004] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an ultrasound communication system includes an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound base, and a data channel (or channel). The ultrasound probe includes a first transmitter, a first interface for the first transmitter, a first receiver, and a second interface for the first receiver. The ultrasound base includes a second transmitter, a third interface for the second transmitter, a second receiver, and a fourth interface for the second receiver. The channel is connected to the first transmitter through the first interface, to the first receiver through the second interface, to the second transmitter through the third interface, and to the second receiver through the fourth interface. The first transmitter is configured to transmit first signals with a first differentiable signal characteristic to the second receiver. The first receiver is configured to receive second signals with a second differentiable signal characteristic from the second transmitter. The second transmitter is configured to transmit the second signals to the first receiver. The second receiver is configured to receive the first signals from the first transmitter.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a first ultrasound communication system includes an ultrasound probe connected to an ultrasound base via a channel and comprising a first transmitter, a first interface for the first transmitter, a first receiver, and a second interface for the first receiver. The first transmitter is configured to transmit first signals with a first differentiable signal characteristic via the first interface to a second receiver of an ultrasound base of a second ultrasound communication system via a fourth interface. The first receiver is configured to receive second signals with a second differentiable signal characteristic via the second interface from a second transmitter of the ultrasound base via a third interface. The channel is connected to the first transmitter through the first interface, to the first receiver through the second interface, to the second transmitter through the third interface and to the second receiver through the fourth interface.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method for an ultrasound system includes transmitting, via a first transmitter of an ultrasound probe connected to a channel via a first interface, first signals with a first differentiable characteristic to a second receiver of an ultrasound base connected to the channel via a fourth interface; receiving, via a first receiver of the ultrasound probe connected to the channel via a second interface, second signals with a second differentiable characteristic from a second transmitter of the ultrasound base connected to the channel via a third interface; transmitting, via the second transmitter of the ultrasound base connected to the channel via the third interface, the second signals with the second differentiable characteristic to the first receiver of the ultrasound probe connected to the channel via the second interface; and receiving, via the second receiverof the ultrasound base connected to the channel via the fourth interface, the first signals with the first differentiable characteristic from the first transmitter of the ultrasound probe connected to the channel via the first interface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The example embodiments are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawing figures. It is emphasized that the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. Wherever applicable and practical, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for bidirectional multi-signal communications, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates another system for bidirectional multi-signal communications, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates another system for bidirectional multi-signal communications, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for bidirectional multi-signal communications, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an electronic system, on which a method for bidirectional multi-signal communications is implemented, in accordance with another representative embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In the following detailed description, for the purposes of explanation and not limitation, representative embodiments disclosing specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments according to the present teachings. However, other embodiments consistent with the present disclosure that depart from specific details disclosed herein remain within the scope of the appended claims. Descriptions of known systems, devices, materials, methods of operation and methods of manufacture may be omitted so as to avoid obscuring the description of the representative embodiments. Nonetheless, systems, devices, materials and methods that are within the purview of one of ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the present teachings and may be used in accordance with the representative embodiments. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Definitions and explanations for terms herein are in addition to the technical and scientific meanings of the terms as commonly understood and accepted in the technical field of the present teachings.

[0014] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept.

[0015] As used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms of terms ‘a’, ‘an’ and ‘the’ are intended to include both singular and plural forms, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the terms "comprises", and / or "comprising," and / or similar terms when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0016] Unless otherwise noted, when an element or component is said to be “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “adjacent to” another element or component, it will be understood that the element or component can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or component, or intervening elements or components may be present. That is, these and similar terms encompass cases where one or more intermediate elements or components may be employed to connect two elements or components. However, when an element or component is said to be “directly connected” to another element or component, this encompasses only cases where the two elements or components are connected to each other without any intermediate or intervening elements or components.

[0017] The present disclosure, through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments and / or specific features or sub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of the advantages as specifically noted below.

[0018] As described herein, dual protocol, single-lane communications may be used to reduce cable size and improve cable ergonomics while enabling higher data rates and download packet sizes. Bidirectional multi-signal communications may be used in contexts in which upload signals have significantly differentiable characteristics from download signals, such as in terms of data rates and corresponding bandwidths, formats and corresponding protocols, and / or clock rates. The teachings herein may be used in the context of ultrasound communication systems as well as in other contexts such as in sensor-based systems in which sensors transmit relatively large volumes of data while only receiving relatively small volumes of data.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for bidirectional multi-signal communications, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0020] The system 100 in FIG. 1 is a system for bidirectional multi-signal communications and includescomponents that are provided together. The system 100 includes an ultrasound probe 110, an ultrasound base 120, and a channel 130. The ultrasound probe 110 includes a first transmitter 111, a first receiver 112, a first interface 113 and a second interface 114. The ultrasound base 120 includes a second transmitter 121, a second receiver 122, a third interface 123 and a fourth interface 124. In some embodiments, the ultrasound probe 110 may comprise a first ultrasound system and the ultrasound base 120 may comprise a second ultrasound system. In other embodiments, the ultrasound base 120 may comprise a first ultrasound system and the ultrasound probe 110 may comprise a second ultrasound system.

[0021] The system 100 improves functionality and reduces cable thickness by sharing the wire(s) used to download data and upload data despite the download signals and upload signals having differentiable signal characteristics. The system 100 in Fig. 1 is shown as a block diagram with a minimal set of features. The system 100 may include many more features, such as a full set of features for the ultrasound probe 110 and a full set of features for the ultrasound base 120. The minimal features in the system 100 include the first transmitter 111 on the primary side connected to the channel 130 through the first interface 113, the first receiver 112 on the primary side connected to the channel 130 through the second interface 114, the second transmitter 121 on the secondary side connected to the channel 130 through the third interface 123, and the second receiver 122 on the secondary side connected to the channel 130 through the fourth interface 124.

[0022] Each of the first interface 113, the second interface 114, the third interface 123 and the fourth interface 124 may comprise a connection such as a filter, a coupling capacitor, a circulator, a high speed multiplexor, or another isolation circuit element or circuit. A filter used as the first interface 113, the second interface 114, the third interface 123 and the fourth interface may comprise a traditional spectral filter, such as a low pass filter, a high pass filter, or a bandpass filter. The interfaces may be used to correctly distinguish between data streams so that the first receiver 112 and the second receiver 122 each know which data stream to decode. In some embodiments, the same type of isolation mechanism may be used as interfaces for a transmitter and a corresponding receiver. In some embodiments, an isolation mechanism such as a single circulator component may be used as a single interface common to both of a transmitter and a corresponding receiver.

[0023] The first transmitter 111 is configured to transmit first signals with a first differentiable signal characteristic to the second receiver 122. The second transmitter 121 is configured to transmit second signals with a second differentiable signal characteristic to the first receiver 112. The first receiver 112 is configured to receive the second signals with the second differentiable signal characteristic from the second transmitter 121. The second receiver 122 is configured to receive the first signals with the firstdifferentiable signal characteristic from the first transmitter 111. The differentiable signal characteristics may be characteristics that can be detectable by or using the first interface 113, the second interface 114, the third interface 123, and / or the fourth interface 124.

[0024] The first differentiable signal characteristic and the second differentiable signal characteristic may differ in terms of formats and protocols. For example, the first signals may comprise upload signals and the second signals may comprise download signals. The first differentiable signal characteristic and the second differentiable signal characteristic may comprise a characteristic of a format for a protocol for the first signals, such as in terms of a clock speed. The second differentiable signal characteristic may differ from the first differentiable signal characteristic in terms of a format for a protocol for the second signals, such as in terms of the relative number of bits encoded in a symbol and / or clock speed. In the context of the system 100, the first signals may comprise data from the ultrasound probe 110 and may therefore comprise image data formatted according to a protocol set for ultrasound images. The second signals may comprise data from the ultrasound base 120 and may therefore comprise control signals such as instructions and other types of data which is specifically not image data formatted to the protocol set for ultrasound images from the ultrasound probe 110.

[0025] The first signals and the second signals may be transmitted at asymmetric or otherwise mismatched data rates. For example, the first signals may also or alternatively be transmitted by the first transmitter at a first data rate with a first bandwidth and the second signals may also or alternatively be transmitted by the second transmitter at a second data rate differentiable from the first data rate and with a second bandwidth differentiable from the first bandwidth. For instance, the first signals and the second signals may occupy different parts of the frequency spectrum.

[0026] In some embodiments, signal differentiations may be detectable and used in the radio frequency (RF) domain. For example, a first transmitter may be transmitting at a high speed such as 10 gigabits / second, and a first receiver may be receiving at the high speed of 10 gigabits / second. A second transmitter may act on a matching network of the first receiver by changing a reflection coefficient. A second receiver may examine the reflected signals. For this example, clock rates for the two signals may still be differentiable. The channel 130 may comprise a single wire, a pair of wires, a fiber optic cable, or any other set of transmit media or mechanism capable of carrying data in a designated protocol. In some embodiments, the channel may comprise a single wire in a cable with other wires. The formats for protocols for the upload signals and the download signals may each be used on the same physical wires, whether on a single wire in a cable or multiple different wires in the cable.

[0027] The use of differentiable formats and protocols may offer communications in a full duplex mode. In a full duplex mode, the transmitters on both the primary side and the secondary side are active at thesame time, and the receivers on both the primary side and the secondary side are active at the same time. The use of full duplex mode may greatly improve the volume of data that can be carried on one or more wire(s) between the primary side and the secondary sides.

[0028] The combination of features in the system 100 in FIG. 1 enables a decrease in the number of necessary wires, so that the number of available channels used to download data may increase and so that a total download packet size may increase. Insofar as cable complexity increases design time and cost, and heavier cables cause injury to sonographers, reducing the number of wires in the cable may decrease the complexity of cable design and the cost of attachment. For an ultrasound system such as the system 100, reducing thickness of the cable allows sonographers some relief. Sharing wires for upload and download also allows for more download wires to be used, reducing the time needed to program the transducer of the ultrasound probe 110. The speed enhancement from sharing a wire may allow faster switching between settings on the transducer of the ultrasound probe 110, or allow more features to be added to the ultrasound probe 110 by increasing the download packet size per transmit event. The reduced number of wires from sharing wires may decrease cable costs. The increased number of download channels allows for more advanced programming features to be included in the ultrasound probe 110 by increasing the amount of data that can be downloaded between frames. In addition, if the full duplex mode is used in the system 100, the download speeds may be reduced significantly to make the separation of the high speed upload data and the low speed download data more extreme, reducing the complexity of any necessary filters. The resulting reduction in download speeds may reduce power consumption and / or heat in the ultrasound probe 110 as an improved efficiency and safety aspect of the teachings herein.

[0029] Although the system 100 is explained in the context of an ultrasound probe 110 and an ultrasound base 120, the system 100 may be implemented in other contexts such as in a system with sensors and a central system that interacts with the sensors. An example system with sensors and a central system that interacts with the sensors is shown in and described with respect to FIG. 3.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates another system for bidirectional multi-signal communications, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0031] The system 200 in FIG. 2 includes an ultrasound probe 210, an ultrasound base 220 and a display 280.

[0032] The ultrasound probe 210 includes a processing circuit 215 and a transducer array 213. The processing circuit 215 may comprise a memory for storing data and instructions, and an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), and / or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or a processor for processing the data and instructions. The transducer array 213 includes an array of transducer elements including at least a first transducer element 2131, a second transducer element 2132, and an Xthtransducer element 213X. The transducer array 213 converts electrical energy into sound waves which bounce off of body tissue, and receives echoes of the sound waves and converts the echoes into electrical energy. The transducer array 213 may include dozens, hundreds or thousands of individual transducer elements. The ultrasound probe 210 may transmit a beam to produce images and may detect the echoes. The processing circuit 215 may process ultrasound images captured by the transducer array 213 of the ultrasound probe 210. The data of the ultrasound images captured by the transducer array 213 may be converted from analog to digital by one or more analog-to-digital converter(s), and the resultant digital data may comprise first signals transmitted by a first transmitter of the ultrasound probe 210. The ultrasound probe 210 may also include a first receiver that receives control signals such as instructions and other types of data which are specifically not image data formatted to the protocol set for ultrasound images from the ultrasound probe 210.

[0033] The ultrasound base 220 includes a first interface 221, a second interface 222, a third interface 223, and a controller 250. The controller 250 includes a memory 251 that stores instructions and a processor 252 that executes the instructions. The ultrasound base 220 may comprise an ultrasound cart, and the memory 251 and the processor 252 may be implemented in the ultrasound cart.

[0034] A computer that can be used to implement the ultrasound base 220 is depicted in FIG. 5, though an ultrasound base 220 may include more or fewer elements than depicted in FIG. 2 or FIG. 5. One or more of the interfaces may include ports, disk drives, wireless antennas, or other types of receiver circuitry that connect the controller 250 to other electronic elements. The first interface 221 connects the ultrasound base 220 to the ultrasound probe 210, and may include the elements of the ultrasound base 120 in FIG. 1. The first interface may comprise a port, an antenna, and / or another type of physical component for wired or wireless communications. The second interface 222 connects the ultrasound base 220 to the display 280, and may also comprise a port, an antenna, and / or another type of physical component for wired or wireless communications. The third interface 223 is a user interface, and may comprise a touchscreen, buttons, keys, a mouse, a microphone, a speaker, switches, or other type of components by which a user may input instructions and obtain information from the ultrasound base 220.

[0035] The controller 250 includes at least a memory 251 that stores instructions and a processor 252 that executes the instructions. The instructions stored in the memory 251 may comprise a software program including instructions for generating control signals to send from the ultrasound base 220 to the ultrasound probe 210. In the system 200, an instruction for the third interface 223 may be generated by the instructions stored in the memory 251 and may be displayed on the third interface 223. The instructions stored in the memory 251 and executed by the processor 252 may also be used to generate content to be displayed on the display 280.

[0036] The display 280 includes a GUI 281 (graphical user interface) which may comprise a touch screen in some embodiments. The display 280 may be local to the ultrasound base 220 or may be remotely connected to the ultrasound base 220, such as wirelessly via the second interface 222. The display 280 may be connected to the ultrasound base 220 via a local wired interface such as an Ethernet cable or via a local wireless interface such as a Wi-Fi connection. The display 280 may be interfaced with other user input devices by which users can input instructions, including mouses, keyboards, thumbwheels and so on. The display 280 may be a monitor such as a computer monitor, a display on a mobile device, an augmented reality display, a television, an electronic whiteboard, or another screen configured to display electronic imagery. The display 280 may also include one or more input interface(s) such as those noted above that may connect to other elements or components, as well as an interactive touch screen configured to display prompts to users and collect touch input from users.

[0037] The controller 250 may perform some of the operations described herein directly and may implement other operations described herein indirectly. For example, the controller 250 may indirectly control operations such as by generating and transmitting content to be displayed on the display 280. The controller 250 may directly control other operations such as logical operations performed by the processor 252 executing instructions from the memory 251 based on input received from electronic elements and / or users via the interfaces. The controller 250 may generate the control signals sent from a second transmitter of the ultrasound base 220 to a first receiver of the ultrasound probe 210. Accordingly, the processes implemented by the controller 250 when the processor 252 executes instructions from the memory 251 may include steps not directly performed by the controller 250.

[0038] An example implementation of the teachings herein may be based on either or both of the system 100 in FIG. 1 and / or the system 200 in FIG. 2. In an example scenario, the transducer array 213 may include 256 transducer elements from the first transducer element 2131 to the Xth transducer element 213X. Each of the 256 elements may require waveforms distinct from each other of the 256 elements, and each waveform may have waveform sample lengths of 25 samples with 8 bits of accuracy. The desired download data packet becomes ~51.2 kilobits or ~6.4 kilobytes. If the upload data packet is 200 gigabits / second over a 200 microsecond receive period, the system provides a 100 megahertz clock for the downloads, and the maximum upload data rate is 10 gigabits / second per channel, then 20 channels will be needed for the upload. If the download packet is relegated to 10 microseconds between receive intervals, then 52 download specific channels are needed at 100 megabits / second. In total, 72 channels are needed for the environment in this example implementation if wires are not shared for download and upload.

[0039] For the example implementation above, if the upload lines are shared with the download lines,with the download channels and upload channels not active at the same time, then the number of channels may be reduced from 72 to 52 as the higher of the two required number of channels between the download and upload channels. The sharing of upload data and download data on 20 of 52 lines provides a significant savings in terms of cable width given the desired download packet. However, this scenario may still present concerns with the clock recovery algorithms on 10 gigabytes / s lines.

[0040] If a full duplex mode is used for the unshared lines in the first example and the shared lines in the second example, the 20 channels are still required for upload. If downloads occur at the same time over the same channels, the download package can be reduced to 12.8 megabits / second across 20 wires over 200 microseconds to achieve the 51.2 kilobit package. The higher frequency edges of the 12.8 megabits / second (such as the 3rd or 5th harmonics) are much less likely to couple into the signal path, so full duplex operation would have a low or negligible impact on the signal integrity that can be further isolated using classical power isolation techniques or a known routing practice. The download package receive circuitry may be substantially reduced in terms of required power, as circuitry designed to run at 12.8 megabits / second can run at less power than circuitry designed to run at 100 megabits / second. As the clock rates are nearly three decades apart, a filter or circulator may be easy to implement as the first interface 113, the second interface 114, the third interface 123 and the fourth interface 124. A standard RC low pass filter may be used for the download receiver with a comer at 13 megahertz would have nearly 50 decibels of high frequency rejection at 5 gigahertz. More sophisticated filters or circulators could offer more rejection of the high frequency data. In duplex mode, the design may require less than half the number of wires, for a reduction from 72 wires to 20 wires when compared to the traditional style with dedicated channels for downloads and uploads operating with different protocols.

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates another system for bidirectional multi-signal communications, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0042] The system 300 in FIG. 3 includes a first sensor 311, a second sensor 312, and a third sensor 313, along with a central system 320. The central system 320 includes a first interface 321 and a second interface 323. The second interface 323 comprises a user interface. Although not shown, the central system 320 may also include a controller such as the controller 250 shown in and described with respect to FIG. 2. The first interface 321 may comprise one or more interface(s) for connecting the central system 320 to the first sensor 311, the second sensor 312 and the third sensor 313. The second interface 323 may receive instructions from a user and may provide information to the user, such as readings from the first sensor 311, the second sensor 312 and the third sensor 313. The first sensor 311, the second sensor 312 and the third sensor 313 may each comprise a first transmitter and a first receiver as described herein, along with corresponding interfaces. The central system 320 may comprise a second transmitter and asecond receiver as described herein, along with corresponding interfaces.

[0043] Individually or collectively, the first sensor 311, the second sensor 312 and / or the third sensor 313 are analogous to the ultrasound probe 110 in FIG. 1 or the ultrasound probe 210 in FIG. 2. That is, the first sensor 311, the second sensor 312 and / or the third sensor 313 may generate relatively large amounts of data formatted in a first format according to a first protocol to transmit to the central system 320. The central system 320 in FIG. 3 is analogous to the ultrasound base 120 in FIG. 1 and the ultrasound base 220 in FIG. 2. That is, the central system 320 may generate a relatively small amount of data formatted in a second format according to a second protocol to transmit to each of the first sensor 311, the second sensor 312 and the third sensor 313.

[0044] A method of operation for the system 300 may include any of the first sensor 311, the second sensor 312 or the third sensor 313 transmitting, via a first transmitter, first signals with a first differentiable signal characteristic to a second receiver of the central system 320, and receiving, via a first receiver, second signals with a second differentiable signal characteristic, from a second transmitter of the central system 320.

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for bidirectional multi-signal communications, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0046] The method of FIG. 4 may be performed by the system 100, by the system 200 or by the system 300. Though the method of FIG. 4 is shown as two series of flows, some or all of the steps of FIG. 4 may be performed simultaneously sometimes or always.

[0047] At S410, a first transmitter transmits first signals with a first differentiable signal characteristic to a second receiver.

[0048] At S411, a second transmitter transmits second signals with a second differentiable signal characteristic to a first receiver.

[0049] At S412, the second receiver receives the first signals with the first differentiable signal characteristic from the first transmitter, and then the method returns to S410.

[0050] At S413, the first receiver receives the second signals with the second differentiable signal characteristic from the second transmitter, and then the method returns to S411.

[0051] Any two or more of of S410, S411, S412 and / or S413 may be performed simultaneously in embodiments based on FIG. 4, though simultaneous operation is not a requirement for use at any particular time. For example, in FIG. 4, S410 and S411 may be performed simultaneously, such as by transmitters operating asynchronously in the ultrasound probe 110 and the ultrasound base 120 in FIG. 1, or in the ultrasound probe 210 and the ultrasound base 220 in FIG. 2, or in the sensors and the central system 320 in FIG. 3. S412 and S413 may also be performed simultaneously, such as by receiversoperating asynchronously in the ultrasound probe 110 and the ultrasound base 120 in FIG. 1, or in the ultrasound probe 210 and the ultrasound base 220 in FIG. 2, or in the sensors and the central system 320 in FIG. 3.

[0052] Using the method of FIG. 4, a single line may carry differentiated waveforms, such as waveforms clearly differentiated in terms of frequency content. For example, a center frequency of a first signal may be 1 gigabits / second and a center frequency of a second signal may be 10 megabits / second. The differentiations may also be in terms of any one or more of data rates, bandwidths, data formats, protocols, or other characteristics by which signals on a single wire may be readily distinguished. A full duplex mode may be used to carry first signals and second signals in entirely disparate frequency bands.

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates an electronic system, on which a method for bidirectional multi-signal communications is implemented, in accordance with another representative embodiment.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic system 500 includes some or all of the electronic components used or usable for an ultrasound base 220, a central system 320, and a variety of other types of electronic devices and systems used or usable in the context of the teachings herein. The electronic system 500 includes a set of software instructions that can be executed to cause the electronic system 500 to perform or support performance of any of the methods or computer-based functions disclosed herein. The electronic system 500 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, for example, using a network 501 or any of the types of interfaces described herein, to other electronic systems or peripheral devices. In embodiments, a electronic system 500 performs logical processing based on digital signals received via an analog-to-digital converter.

[0055] In a networked deployment, the electronic system 500 operates in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment. The electronic system 500 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a workstation that includes a controller, an ultrasound base, a central system, a stationary computer, a mobile computer, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or any other machine capable of executing a set of software instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. The electronic system 500 can be incorporated as or in a device that in turn is in an integrated system that includes additional devices. In an embodiment, the electronic system 500 can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while the electronic system 500 is illustrated in the singular, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of software instructions to perform one or more computer functions, such as a system with the combination of an ultrasound base and an ultrasound probe.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the electronic system 500 includes a processor 510. The processor 510 may be considered a representative example of a processor of a controller and executes instructions to implement some or all aspects of methods and processes described herein. The processor 510 is tangible and non-transitory. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period. The term “non- transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time. The processor 510 is an article of manufacture and / or a machine component. The processor 510 is configured to execute software instructions to perform functions as described in the various embodiments herein. The processor 510 may be a general-purpose processor or may be part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 510 may also be a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor chip, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a state machine, or a programmable logic device. The processor 510 may also be a logical circuit, including a programmable gate array (PGA), such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another type of circuit that includes discrete gate and / or transistor logic. The processor 510 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Additionally, any processor described herein may include multiple processors, parallel processors, or both. Multiple processors may be included in, or coupled to, a single device or multiple devices.

[0057] The term “processor” as used herein encompasses an electronic component able to execute a program or machine executable instruction. References to a computing device comprising “a processor” should be interpreted to include more than one processor or processing core, as in a multi-core processor. A processor may also refer to a collection of processors within a single electronic system or distributed among multiple electronic systems. The term computing device should also be interpreted to include a collection or network of computing devices each including a processor or processors. Programs have software instructions performed by one or multiple processors that may be within the same computing device or which may be distributed across multiple computing devices.

[0058] The electronic system 500 further includes a main memory 520 and a static memory 530, where memories in the electronic system 500 communicate with each other and the processor 510 via a bus 508. Either or both of the main memory 520 and the static memory 530 may be considered representative examples of a memory of a controller, and store instructions used to implement some or all aspects of methods and processes described herein. Memories described herein are tangible storage mediums for storing data and executable software instructions and are non-transitory during the time software instructions are stored therein. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period. The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time. The main memory 520 and the static memory 530 are articles of manufacture and / or machine components. The main memory 520 and the static memory 530 are computer-readable mediums from which data and executable software instructions can be read by a computer (e.g., the processor 510). Each of the main memory 520 and the static memory 530 may be implemented as one or more of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, tape, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk, blu-ray disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. The memories may be volatile or non-volatile, secure and / or encrypted, unsecure and / or unencrypted.

[0059] “Memory” is an example of a computer-readable storage medium. Computer memory is any memory which is directly accessible to a processor. Examples of computer memory include, but are not limited to RAM memory, registers, and register files. References to “computer memory” or “memory” should be interpreted as possibly being multiple memories. The memory may for instance be multiple memories within the same electronic system. The memory may also be multiple memories distributed amongst multiple electronic systems or computing devices.

[0060] As shown, the electronic system 500 further includes a video display unit 550, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid-state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT), for example. Additionally, the electronic system 500 includes an input device 560, such as a keyboard / virtual keyboard or touch-sensitive input screen or speech input with speech recognition, and a cursor control device 570, such as a mouse or touch-sensitive input screen or pad. The electronic system 500 also optionally includes a disk drive unit 580, a signal generation device 590, such as a speaker or remote control, and / or a network interface device 540.

[0061] In an embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5, the disk drive unit 580 includes a computer-readable medium 582 in which one or more sets of software instructions 584 (software) are embedded. The sets of software instructions 584 are read from the computer-readable medium 582 to be executed by the processor 510. Further, the software instructions 584, when executed by the processor 510, perform one or more steps of the methods and processes as described herein. In an embodiment, the software instructions 584 reside all or in part within the main memory 520, the static memory 530 and / or the processor 510 during execution by the electronic system 500. Further, the computer-readable medium 582 may include software instructions 584 or receive and execute software instructions 584 responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to a network 501 communicates voice, video or data overthe network 501. The software instructions 584 may be transmitted or received over the network 501 via the network interface device 540. In a context in which the electronic system 500 comprises or is included in an ultrasound base, the network interface device may comprise, for example, a a first transmitter, an interface for the first transmitter, a receiver, and an interface for the receiver, consistent with the teachings herein. Instead of a network 501, the electronic system 500 may communicate over a channel consistent with the teachings herein. In an embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays and other hardware components, are constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules. Accordingly, the present disclosure encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations. Nothing in the present application should be interpreted as being implemented or implementable solely with software and not hardware such as a tangible non-transitory processor and / or memory.

[0062] In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented or otherwise supported using a hardware electronic system that executes software programs. Virtual electronic system processing may implement one or more of the methods or functionalities as described herein, and a processor described herein may be used to support a virtual processing environment.

[0063] Accordingly, bidirectional multi-signal communications enables dual protocol, single-lane communications to reduce cable size and improve cable ergonomics while enabling higher data rates and download packet sizes. As described above, bidirectional multi-signal communications may be used in contexts in which upload signals have significantly differentiable characteristics from download signals, such as in terms of data rates and corresponding bandwidths, formats and corresponding protocols, and / or clock rates. While bidirectional multi-signal communications are primarily described in terms of ultrasound communication systems, the teachings herein may be used in other contexts such as in sensorbased systems in which sensors transmit relatively large volumes of data while only receiving relatively small volumes of data.

[0064] Although bidirectional multi-signal communications has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of bidirectional multi-signal communications in its aspects. Although bidirectional multi-signal communications has beendescribed with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, bidirectional multi-signal communications is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather bidirectional multi-signal communications extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0065] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of the disclosure described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0066] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and / or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

[0067] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.

[0068] The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the concepts described in the present disclosure. As such, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to coverall such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An ultrasound communication system (100), comprising: an ultrasound probe (110) comprising a first transmitter ( 111), a first interface (113) for the first transmitter (111), a first receiver (112), and a second interface (114) for the first receiver (112); an ultrasound base (120) comprising a second transmitter (121), a third interface (123) for the second transmitter (121), a second receiver (122), and a fourth interface (124) for the second receiver (122); and a channel (130) connected to the first transmitter (111) through the first interface (113), to the first receiver (112) through the second interface (114), to the second transmitter (121) through the third interface (123), and to the second receiver (122) through the fourth interface (124), wherein the first transmitter (111) is configured to transmit first signals with a first differentiable signal characteristic to the second receiver (122); the first receiver (112) is configured to receive second signals with a second differentiable signal characteristic from the second transmitter (121); the second transmitter (121) is configured to transmit the second signals to the first receiver (112); and the second receiver (122) is configured to receive the first signals from the first transmitter (111).

2. The ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 1, wherein the first interface (113) comprises at least one of a filter, a coupling capacitor, a circulator, or a multiplexor; and the second interface (114) comprises at least one of a filter, a coupling capacitor, a circulator, or a multiplexor.

3. The ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 1, wherein the first signals are transmitted by the first transmitter (111) at a first data rate with a first bandwidth and the second signals are transmitted by the second transmitter (121) at a second data rate differentiable from the first data rate and with a second bandwidth differentiable from the first bandwidth.

4. The ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 3, wherein the first signals comprise data formatted according to a first protocol and the second signals comprise data formatted according to a second protocol differentiable from the first protocol.

5. The ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 1, wherein the channel (130) comprises a cable with a plurality of wires, the first signals are transmitted by the first transmitter (111) over a wire of the plurality of wires, and the second signals are received by the first receiver (112) over the wire of the plurality of wires.

6. The ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 1, wherein the first signals are transmitted by the first transmitter (111) at a first clock rate and the second signals are received by the first receiver (112) at a second clock rate differentiable from the first clock rate.

7. A first ultrasound communication system (100), comprising: an ultrasound probe (110) connected to an ultrasound base (120) via a channel (130) and comprising a first transmitter (111), a first interface (113) for the first transmitter ( 111), a first receiver (112), and a second interface (114) for the first receiver (112); wherein: the first transmitter (111) is configured to transmit first signals with a first differentiable signal characteristic via the first interface (113) to a second receiver (122) of an ultrasound base (120) of a second ultrasound communication system (100) via a fourth interface (124); the first receiver (112) is configured to receive second signals with a second differentiable signal characteristic via the second interface (114) from a second transmitter (121) of the ultrasound base (120) via a third interface (123); and the channel (130) is connected to the first transmitter (111) through the first interface (113), is connected to the first receiver (112) through the second interface (114), is connected to the second transmitter (121) through the third interface (123) and is connected to the second receiver (122) through the fourth interface (124).

8. The first ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 7, wherein the first interface (113) comprises at least one of a filter, a coupling capacitor, a circulator, or a multiplexor; and the second interface (114) comprises at least one of a filter, a coupling capacitor, a circulator, or a multiplexor.

9. The first ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 7, wherein the first signals are transmitted by the first transmitter (111) at a first data rate with a first bandwidth and the second signals are received by the first receiver (112) at a second data rate differentiable from the first data rate and with a second bandwidth differentiable from the first bandwidth.

10. The first ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 9, wherein the first signals comprise data formatted according to a first protocol and the second signals comprise data formatted according to a second protocol differentiable from the first protocol.

11. The first ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 7, wherein the channel (130) comprises a cable with a plurality of wires, the first signals are transmitted by the first transmitter (111) over a wire of the plurality of wires, and the second signals are received by the first receiver (112) over the wire of the plurality of wires.

12. The first ultrasound communication system (100) of claim 7, wherein the first signals are transmitted by the first transmitter (111) at a first clock rate and the second signals are received by the first receiver (112) at a second clock rate differentiable from the first clock rate.

13. A communication method for an ultrasound system (100), comprising: transmitting, via a first transmitter ( 111) of an ultrasound probe (110) connected to a channel (130) via a first interface (113), first signals with a first differentiable characteristic to a second receiver (122) of an ultrasound base (120) connected to the channel (130) via a fourth interface (124); receiving, via a first receiver (112) of the ultrasound probe (110) connected to the channel (130) via a second interface (114), second signals with a second differentiable characteristic from a second transmitter (121) of the ultrasound base (120) connected to the channel (130) via athird interface (123); transmitting, via the second transmitter (121) of the ultrasound base (120) connected to the channel (130) via the third interface (123), the second signals with the second differentiable characteristic to the first receiver (112) of the ultrasound probe (110) connected to the channel (130) via the second interface (114); and receiving, via the second receiver (122) of the ultrasound base (120) connected to the channel (130) via the fourth interface (124), the first signals with the first differentiable characteristic from the first transmitter (111) of the ultrasound probe (110) connected to the channel (130) via the first interface (113).

14. The communication method of claim 13, wherein the first signals are transmitted by the first transmitter (111) at a first data rate with a first bandwidth and the second signals are transmitted by the second transmitter (121) at a second data rate differentiable from the first data rate and with a second bandwidth differentiable from the first bandwidth.

15. The communication method of claim 14, wherein the first signals comprise data formatted according to a first protocol and the second signals comprise data formatted according to a second protocol differentiable from the first protocol.

16. The communication method of claim 13, wherein the channel (130) comprises a cable with a plurality of wires, the first signals are transmitted by the first transmitter (111) over a wire of the plurality of wires, and the second signals are received by the first receiver (112) over the wire of the plurality of wires.

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