Ultrasonic Imaging Power Supply Segmentation for Energy Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The ultrasonic imaging apparatus faces increasing power consumption with enhanced performance, necessitating efficient power management, especially in miniaturized or mobile systems, where reducing power usage is crucial for effective operation.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic imaging apparatus with a user interface and a power-supply unit comprising multiple power-supply groups, controlled by a processor that adjusts power-supply signals based on user input signals, searching for corresponding power data to optimize voltage supply to elements, including adjusting magnitude, timing, and order of power-supply signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If power consumption is reduced through efficient power management, then mobility and miniaturization are improved, but image quality and diagnostic performance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into multiple independent power-supply groups, each capable of being controlled separately. This segmentation allows the system to selectively power only the necessary elements for the current imaging task, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining image quality by ensuring adequate power is supplied to active elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply system dynamically adjusts the voltage level for each power-supply group based on real-time operational requirements. The controller modifies power-supply signals according to the imaging mode, depth, and selected elements, enabling optimal power distribution that balances power consumption with image quality maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If voltage levels are adjusted for power optimization, then power consumption is reduced, but signal distortion may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Different voltage levels are applied to different power-supply groups based on their specific operational requirements. Elements requiring higher power for deep imaging or specific functions receive appropriate voltage levels, while other elements operate at lower voltages. This localized power optimization reduces overall power consumption without causing signal distortion in any specific region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the voltage parameter dynamically for each power-supply group based on imaging conditions. The controller adjusts voltage levels according to the imaging depth, mode, and selected elements, ensuring that each element receives the optimal voltage for its current task, thereby minimizing signal distortion while reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables efficient power management by optimizing power supply to ultrasonic imaging apparatus elements, reducing power consumption and minimizing signal distortion, thereby enhancing the apparatus's performance and mobility.

Implementation Method 1

a power-supply processor to search for power data corresponding to the received input signal from among predetermined power data and to adjust power-supply signals applied to respective elements corresponding to the plurality of power-supply groups according to the searched power data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower management through voltage control:

Data Source

PatentEP3045115B1Ultrasonic imaging apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD
  • EP3045115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3045115B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3045115B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: a user interface to receive an input signal of a user and a power-supply unit. The power-supply unit includes a plurality of power-supply groups to provide power-supply signals for respectively driving a plurality of elements, and a power-supply processor to search for power data corresponding to the received input signal from among predetermined power data and to adjust power-supply signals applied to respective elements corresponding to the plurality of power-supply groups according to the searched power data.