Electronic Cassette Relay Transmission Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Radiographic imaging workflows are interrupted due to inefficiencies in wireless communication between electronic cassettes and console devices, leading to memory space shortages and communication failures, which hinder continuous and smooth imaging processes.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic imaging apparatus with a mode control unit that switches between normal and relay transmission modes, allowing the first electronic cassette to wirelessly transmit images to a second electronic cassette, which then transmits them to the console device, ensuring continuous imaging even when direct communication is disrupted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used between electronic cassette and console device, then cable obstruction is eliminated and handling is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to signal interference and connection instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay electronic cassette as an intermediary device to establish indirect communication paths. When the primary electronic cassette experiences communication failures with the console device, the relay cassette acts as a mediator to forward images and data, thereby maintaining communication reliability without requiring physical cable connections.
2Speed
If direct wireless transmission is used, then transmission speed is fast, but transmission stability deteriorates due to communication failures and interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission mode switching between direct wireless transmission and relay transmission through a mode control unit. The system automatically transitions between transmission paths based on real-time communication conditions, maintaining both high speed and stability by selecting the optimal transmission mode for each situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter by switching between different transmission modes (direct vs. relay) based on communication quality. When direct transmission fails or becomes unstable, the system parameter changes to use relay transmission through the second electronic cassette, thereby maintaining transmission stability while preserving overall efficiency.
3Device complexity
If memory space is not expanded, then device complexity is low, but imaging continuity is interrupted due to memory space shortages
Solution Approach 1:
The relay electronic cassette serves as an intermediary storage device. When the primary electronic cassette runs out of memory space, the system automatically transmits images to the relay cassette for temporary storage and subsequent transmission to the console device. This intermediary approach maintains imaging continuity without requiring expansion of the primary cassette's memory capacity.
4Reliability
If relay transmission mode is added, then communication reliability is improved through alternative paths, but device complexity increases due to additional transmission modes
Solution Approach 1:
The mode control unit automatically manages the complexity of multiple transmission modes through self-service mechanisms. It autonomously monitors communication conditions, determines the appropriate transmission mode (direct or relay), and executes mode switching without requiring manual intervention or complex user configuration, thereby managing system complexity internally while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a radiographic imaging apparatus, a radiation image of an object is detected by use of one of first and second electronic cassettes, to input the radiation image to the console device. The first electronic cassette is changed over between a normal transmission mode and a relay transmission mode. In the normal transmission mode, the radiation image is transmitted through a path from the first electronic cassette to the console device, and in the relay transmission mode, the radiation image is transmitted from the first electronic cassette to the second electronic cassette wirelessly and then from the second electronic cassette to the console device. Transmission of a radiation image can be performed reliably without unwanted interruption, because an indirect path of the relay transmission mode can be used even upon occurrence of a technical problem of inefficiency in the normal transmission mode.