Ultrasound Probe Power Supply Controller for Wireless Standby Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in power saving, particularly when using wireless communication between the ultrasound probe and the apparatus main body, leading to shortened standby times and interference in ultrasound diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a power supply controller that manages power distribution between the ultrasound unit, communication circuits, and sensors, allowing the ultrasound probe to switch between active and standby modes with varying power consumption levels, enabling activation solely by the apparatus main body and optimizing battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Wi-Fi connection is maintained in standby mode to enable wireless communication between ultrasound probe and apparatus main body, then communication capability is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two communication modes: Wi-Fi for high-speed data transmission during active mode, and Bluetooth Low Energy for low-power communication during standby mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain communication capability while optimizing power consumption based on operational state
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters by switching between different wireless communication technologies (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE) with different power consumption characteristics. This parameter change enables the system to adapt power consumption to the operational requirements of each mode
2Speed
If ultrasound probe operates in active mode with all units powered on to reduce activation time, then activation speed is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining Bluetooth Low Energy connection and basic processing units in standby mode, so that when activation is needed, only the ultrasound transmission and reception units need to be quickly powered on. This preliminary preparation reduces activation time while avoiding continuous operation of all high-power components
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments power supply to different units based on operational mode: in standby mode, only low-power units (Bluetooth, basic processing) are powered on, while high-power units (ultrasound transmission, reception) are powered off. This segmentation allows selective activation of components based on current operational requirements
3Ease of operation
If ultrasound probe is activated only by apparatus main body operation to simplify user operation, then ease of operation is improved, but communication reliability may be affected during standby
Solution Approach 1:
Bluetooth Low Energy serves as an intermediary communication channel between the ultrasound probe and apparatus main body during standby mode. This intermediary enables reliable bidirectional communication for activation signals and status updates without requiring full Wi-Fi connection, maintaining reliability while reducing power consumption
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of activating an ultrasound probe only by an operation of an apparatus main body and achieving power saving. The ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound unit that acquires ultrasound image data, a probe-side first communication circuit and a probe-side second communication circuit each of which performs wireless communication with the apparatus main body and which have transmission capacities different from each other and power consumptions different from each other, and a power supply controller that selects one communication circuit among the probe-side first communication circuit and the probe-side second communication circuit according to a power supply mode of the ultrasound probe and performs wireless communication with the apparatus main body by using the selected communication circuit.