Abstract:
Systems and techniques are provided for a directional antenna system that employs a wireless link between x-ray apparatus. The system includes a host computer, an x-ray tube with an emission scan channel, a first directional antenna connected to the x-ray tube and with an orientation parallel to the emission channel, a second antenna wirelessly communicating with the first directional antenna, an x-ray detector wirelessly communicating with the x-ray tube, and a rigid panel supporting the second antenna and the x-ray detector being in contact with the emission scan channel. Specific techniques are employed to manage antenna direction and transmission.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates generally to wireless x-ray devices, and more particularly to wireless x-ray devices employing a directional antenna system. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Conventional wireless systems are becoming more prevalent with applications that previously had to operate with wired connections. Wireless technology includes applications spanning single peer-to-peer connections, to broadly diverse wireless networks (e.g., WLAN). Further, wireless systems operate in conjunction with environments that support more than one discrete wireless system, and must therefore be able to effectively operate within the wireless confluence and the available wireless resources, (e.g., communication bandwidth). 
   In these conventional wireless systems, the individual wireless signals oftentimes interfere with each other. Further, wireless signals also compete with non-wireless sources that by virtue of an electric current source affect localized electromagnetic fields. 
   Wireless systems are becoming more prevalent in the medical field. One use of wireless technology in the medical field frees the patient from being tied or tethered to medical monitoring equipment. The portability and movement of both patients and the diagnostic and testing equipment associated with patient care is greatly simplified with wireless sensors for testing and diagnostic equipment. Wireless systems allow patients to be monitored during extended evaluation periods and allow for the data to be more representative of a patient&#39;s “real life”. Wireless systems use antennae to transmit information by emitting electromagnetic waves, measured in radio frequency units, typically between 10 kHz and 10 GHz. 
   One problem with a wireless system is interference, either passive created by a physical obstacle or obstruction, or active which is created by another signal source. With a wireless system in use at a medical facility, the system must contend with a large number of both physical and active obstacles. Additionally, the wireless system must be able to operate with unobtrusive antennae, and typically with power from a standard internal wall outlet. 
   Equipment of all kinds in a medical facility must be held to the strictest standards of performance and reliability, otherwise any use of the equipment must be discontinued for fear of placing the patients at risk. With wireless technology allowing patient monitoring, and data transfer, the technical limitations and boundaries of wireless systems have been closely examined. However, the physical phenomena of interference and attenuation of RF signals or waves provided physical constraints, not the actual data. 
   With medical radiology, whereby a patient undergoes an x-ray, both the technician and the patient are exposed to radiation during the imaging procedure. Clearly, it is beneficial to both the patient and the technician not to repeat an x-ray session. However, oftentimes a problem with the patient&#39;s orientation during the x-ray imaging procedure is not apparent until after the imaging procedure is completed and the x-rays are viewed. 
   One problem with conventional x-ray systems is improper patient positioning that prevents the radiologist or technician from successfully imaging the desired areas. Improper patient placement can also create passive interference that will affect the wireless signals traveling between a transmitter and a receiver. Although x-rays will travel through a patient&#39;s body, radio frequency (RF) micro-wavelength signals will not pass through the patient&#39;s body. In fact, as with any solid object the RF signals will be reflected off the patient&#39;s body and oftentimes such reflection will redirect the signals away from the intended receiver&#39;s location. In addition to the redirection caused by signal reflection, the original signal will also undergo attenuation, or loss of power typically measured in decibels (dB), as a result of the reflection. 
   Further, another aspect with conventional x-ray systems is the lack of any real time-of-session feedback concerning the necessary strength of the x-ray beam required to successfully image the target area of a patient. X-rays, even in small amounts, cause damage to living tissues. Obviously, current measures are taken to protect both a patient undergoing a radiology examination and the technician operating the equipment. Unfortunately, oftentimes a radiologist must insure complete imaging at the cost of boosting the strength of the radiation beam. Although the radiologist will adjust the strength of the radiation beam, power adjustments made to the radiology equipment prior to, or during the session are done with only general operational understanding. 
   Further, with the increasing costs associated with medical care, more efficient use of the radiology equipment and the staff&#39;s time would be desirable. Obviously, the best case for efficiency would have no inaccurate or unusable x-rays. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless x-ray system whose operation minimizes any interference both to and from the wireless x-ray system and any other operating networks or systems. 
   It is another object of the present invention to assist with the proper placement and positioning of a patient for a targeted radiology session. 
   It is further another object of the present invention to assist with the signal transmission and acquisition for a wireless antenna array. 
   It is further another object of the present invention to provide a transmission power control technique to further reduce potential interference with other wireless devices. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The foregoing problems are solved and the foregoing objects are achieved in accordance with the following illustrative embodiments of the invention in which a directional antennae system is deployed with a license-free, low power wireless link for use with x-ray equipment. Additionally, the characteristics of wireless signal transmission are utilized to balance the effects of a radiological procedure. Further, proper balancing and management of the radiological procedure will generate the minimum amount of x-ray radiation during a radiological examination. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive directional antenna system; 
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive directional antenna system; 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an exemplary method to activate the antennae according to this invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an exemplary method to activate a smart self-directing antenna routine for the inventive directional antenna system; and 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an exemplary method to activate a transmission power control routine for the inventive directional antenna system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the directional antenna system according to this invention. The x-ray tube  100  is connected via a communications link  115  to a host computer system  130 . The x-ray tube  100  has two directional antennae  110  and  120 , attached to the x-ray tube&#39;s body, with their respective locations along the two terminating ends of the x-ray tube  100 . Each of the two directional antennae  110  and  120  is positioned proximate to either end of the x-ray tube&#39;s body, and relative to communicate with a wireless x-ray detector  140 . 
   The wireless x-ray detector  140  has a third directional antenna  150  located below the x-ray tube  100  and relative to communicate with each of the two directional antennae  110  and  120 . The two directional antennae  110  and  120  send signals in a primary transmission pattern downward and away from the x-ray tube  100 . The single directional antenna  150  sends signals in a primary transmission pattern upward and away from the wireless x-ray detector  140 . 
   In a first embodiment of the invention, the directional antennae system only uses one directional antenna (either  110  or  120 ) that are attached to the body of the x-ray tube  100 . The one directional antenna,  110  or  120 , attached to the body of the x-ray tube  100 , would transmit (send RF energy) towards the wireless x-ray detector  140 . The transmitted RF signal from directional antenna  110  or  120  would be received by the single directional antenna  150 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the directional antenna  120  has a primary transmission path  125 . Additionally, the directional antenna  150  has a primary transmission path  155 . The wireless x-ray detector  140  may be located on a panel  160  that is placed beneath the radiology patient. Further, the directional antenna  150  may be located on panel  160 . The position of the directional antenna  150  may be for example, on the periphery of the panel  160 , at such a location where a radiology patient would not block or otherwise interfere with the directional antenna  150 . 
   The wireless x-ray detector  140  is contained within or upon the panel  160 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the panel  160  also includes a directional antenna  150 . The directional antenna  150  is oriented upward, towards the x-ray tube  100 , and when active would transmit towards the x-ray tube  100 . 
   When a user, for example a radiology technician, powers on the host computer system  130 , or any other controller coupled to the inventive directional antenna system, a signal is sent to a single directional antenna, for example  120 , mounted upon the x-ray tube body  100 . The signal sent to the directional antenna  120  prepares the antenna&#39;s transmission carrier signal for operation. At the same time, or approximate to that time period, a signal is sent to the directional antenna  120 , a separate signal is sent to directional antenna  150  mounted upon the wireless x-ray detector  140 . The signal sent to the directional antenna  150  prepares the antenna&#39;s transmission carrier signal for operation. 
   Once the circuits supplying the carrier signals for the directional antennae have been sufficiently charged, an operator, either a human, automatic or mechanical, will initiate the directional antennae. Directional antennae are particularly useful in low-power, license-free wireless transmission environments, since a directional antenna will maximize the efficiency of a low-power, targeted transfer. A directional antenna channels the RF signal in a particular direction. These channeled RF signals form a conically-shaped lobe transmission path, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Directional antenna  120  has its respective signal lobe transmission path  125 , and directional antenna  150  has its respective signal lobe transmission path  155 . A RF signal generally gets stronger the closer one gets to the center of a given signal lobe transmission path. Therefore, the signal is the strongest at the center of the signal lobe transmission path. 
   In the exemplary environment, for example a medical facility, the use of a directional antenna system with a wireless system must not interfere with any of the numerous other systems wireless or wired. Since the power band available to a license-free wireless system is very limited, the system must be deployed in such a manner to minimize any interference. An optimal deployment would include unobstructed lines of sight between any pair of antennae, and with directional antennae a given communicative pair should be essentially pointed at each other. 
   X-ray radiology optimally operates when an irradiation beam passes straight through the target, for example a radiology patient, and perpendicularly strikes the film or other media capturing the image. Clearly the type and scale of the radiology equipment is directly proportional to the size of a specific targeted area that may be successfully imaged. The inventive concept of this disclosure is not dependent upon a specific type or scale of radiology equipment. Rather, the inventive concept of this disclosure is applicable to all known or later developed radiology equipment. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the x-ray tube  100  is suspended over a subject. The x-ray tube  100  emits an x-ray beam  105  that irradiates the subject. The wireless x-ray detector  140  is located beneath the subject and receives the x-ray beam  105  after the x-ray beam has passed through the subject. 
   The wireless x-ray detector  140  and panel  160  are located beneath the x-ray tube  100 , and essentially perpendicular to the x-ray beam  105 . With the subject laid upon the panel  160 , the subject is also positioned essentially perpendicular to the x-ray beam. As discussed, the panel  160  has the directional antenna  150  mounted upon it, and ideally the directional antenna  150  should have an unobstructed line of sight to the directional antenna  120  attached to the x-ray tube  100 . For a mono-emission x-ray apparatus system, the equation for attenuation is represented by Beer&#39;s Law.
 
 I=I   0  exp[−μ x],    (1)
 
   Where I 0  is the initial X-ray intensity, μ is the linear attenuation coefficient for the material being scanned (units: 1/length), and x is the length of the X-ray path through the material. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the placement of the directional antenna upon the x-ray tube  100  is fixed or can be readily ascertained. Further, dependent on whether the x-ray tube  100  is suspended essentially adjacent to a subject, or suspended at some distance over a subject, that spatial relationship can be readily ascertained. Still further, the linear attenuation coefficient μ, for a subject is known or can be readily ascertained. Accordingly, the overall attenuation may be readily ascertained for any individual scan. 
   Optimal alignment of the x-ray equipment and apparatus will provide for optimal RF signaling between a pair of directional antenna of the inventive directional antenna system. Conversely, if the RF signaling is not operating at an efficient level or proximate to (efficiency defined as a function of resources consumed versus resources available) the x-ray irradiation will not be optimal. 
     FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the directional antenna system according to this invention. The x-ray tube  100  is connected via a communications link  115  to a host computer system  130 . The x-ray tube  100  has two directional antennae  110 , and  120  attached to the x-ray tube&#39;s body, with their respective locations along the two terminating ends of the x-ray tube&#39;s  100  body. Each of the two directional antennae  110 , and  120 , is positioned proximate to either end of the x-ray tube&#39;s body, and relative to communicate with a wireless x-ray detector  140 . 
   The wireless x-ray detector  140  has an omni-directional antenna  160  located below the x-ray tube  100  and relative to communicate with each of the two directional antennae  110 , and  120 . The two directional antennae  110  and  120  send signals in a primary transmission pattern downward and away from the x-ray tube  100 . The single omni-directional antenna  160  sends signals in a transmission pattern radiating away from the wireless x-ray detector  140 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the directional antenna  120  has a primary transmission path  125 . Additionally, the omni-directional antenna  160  has a transmission path  165 . The wireless x-ray detector  140  may be located on a panel  160  that is placed beneath the radiology patient. 
   In a second embodiment of the invention, the directional antenna system uses one directional antenna (either  110  or  120 ) that are attached to the body of the x-ray tube  100 . The one directional antenna,  110  or  120 , attached to the body of the x-ray tube  100 , would transmit (send RF energy) towards the wireless x-ray detector  140 . The transmitted RF signal from directional antenna  110  or  120  would be received by the single omni-directional antenna  170 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the directional antenna  120  has a primary transmission path  125 . Additionally, the omni-directional antenna  170  has a primary transmission path  175  (an omni-directional antenna generates a general, radial in all directions, expanding transmission path). The wireless x-ray detector  140  may be located on a panel  160  that is placed beneath the radiology patient. Further, the omni-directional antenna  170  may be located on panel  160 . The position of the omni-directional antenna  170  may be for example, on the periphery of the panel  160 , at such a location where the radiology patient would not block or otherwise interfere with the omni-directional antenna  170 . 
   When a user, for example a radiology technician, powers on the host computer system  130 , or any other controller coupled to the inventive directional antenna system, a signal is sent to a single directional antenna, for example  120 , mounted upon the x-ray tube body  100 . The signal sent to the directional antenna  120  prepares the antenna&#39;s transmission carrier signal for operation. At the same time or approximate to that time period, a signal is sent to the directional antenna  120  and a separate signal is sent to the omni-directional antenna  170  mounted upon the wireless x-ray detector  140 . The signal sent to the omni-directional antenna  170  prepares the antenna&#39;s transmission carrier signal for operation. 
   Once the circuits supplying the carrier signals for the antennae have been sufficiently charged, an operator, either a human, automatic or mechanical will initiate the antennae. Directional antennae are particularly useful in low-power, license-free wireless transmission environments, since a directional antenna will maximize the efficiency of a low-power, targeted transfer. These channeled RF signals form a conically shaped lobe transmission path  125 , originating from directional antenna  120 . 
   In contrast to a conically-shaped lobe of a directional antenna, an omni-directional antenna produces an essentially radial broadcast that travels from a point of origin outwardly in 360 degrees. Further, with omni-directional antennae, the signal gets weaker the farther the signal travels from the point of origin. However, unlike a directional antenna an omni-directional antenna would be effective in applications when an essentially straight line-of-sight between the transmission source and the receiver is not available, or otherwise not certain to be available. 
   In the exemplary environment of a medical facility, the use of the inventive directional antenna system employing both a directional antenna and an omni-directional antenna must be deployed so not to interfere with any of the numerous other systems within the facility. Since the power band available to a license-free wireless system is very narrow, the system must be deployed in such a manner to minimize interference. Although by combining both a directional antenna and an omni-directional antenna the effects of a physical barrier, for example a radiology patient, are diminished and successful license-free wireless communication is attainable. Further, optimal deployment of a directional antenna and an omni-directional antenna pair is achieved when any portion of a radial emanating RF wave (beam)  175  from the omni-directional antenna  170  is received by the directional antenna  120 . 
   In addition, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , a smart self-directing antenna may be used at the x-ray tube  100  with the inventive directional antenna system. The smart self-directing antenna subsystem may include an actuator  180  or similarly designed and operative mechanism. The actuator  180  would be coupled to the inventive directional antenna system, and further controlled by the host computer  130  or a similarly operative controller. The actuator  180  would receive signals from the host computer  130  that would include specific field parameters. These field parameters may include instructions that direct the directional antenna  120  to move to specific positions. Further, from these specific positions, the directional antenna  120  could determine if the signal source from, for example the wireless x-ray detector  140  with an omni-directional antenna  170 , is serviceable. Additionally, the information gathered by the host computer  130  from the determination of whether a specific position produces a serviceable signal source, could be measured for a number of quantifiable characteristics including strength and clarity. 
   The smart self-directing antenna subsystem may balance the information received against specific thresholds and or ideal target goals. Once the smart self-directing antenna subsystem has determined which specific position the directional antenna  120  moved to and yielded the most desirable serviceable signal source, the smart self-directing antenna subsystem may direct the antenna actuator  180  to reposition the directional antenna  120  at that position. Further, when the antenna actuator  180  has positioned the directional antenna  120  at the most desirable position, the host computer  130  may initiate the directional antenna  120  for serviceable signal transmission and reception. 
   Further, and in addition to the deployment of an actuator, or in a system without the functionality of an actuator, a multi-element antenna may be included with the inventive directional antenna system. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the multi-element antenna  112  is found within directional antenna  110 , and a multi-element antenna  122  is found within directional antenna  120 . However, it should be understood that a multi-element antenna, may for example, be deployed in a proximate location to the directional antennae  110  and or  120 . 
   For ease of illustration, this description will specifically describe multi-element antenna  122 ; however a similar description is explicitly implied for multi-element antenna  112 . Multi-element antennae would be coupled to the inventive directional antenna system and further would be controlled by the host computer  130  or similarly tasked operative controller. 
   The multi-element antenna  122  would receive signals from the host computer  130  that would include specific field parameters. These field parameters may include instructions that direct the directional antenna  120  to activate a specific element or elements of the multi-element antenna  122 . Further, from these specific element activations, the directional antenna  120  could determine if the signal source from, for example the wireless x-ray detector  140  with an omni-directional antenna  170 , is serviceable. Additionally, the information gathered by the host computer  130  from the determination of whether specific element activation produces a serviceable signal source, could be measured for a number of quantifiable characteristics including strength and clarity. 
   Still further in addition, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , a transmission power control subsystem may be used with the inventive directional antenna system. The transmission power control subsystem may include a power controller  190  or a similarly designed or operative mechanism. It should be understood that any control subsystem may be contained either within the x-ray tube  100 , or may physically reside within the host computer  130 , or may be resident in some other location completely separate and distinct from any of the components and systems described and or disclosed herein. Further, the scope of this invention is not dependent upon the specific location of this control subsystem. 
   The power controller  190  would be coupled to the inventive directional antenna system, and further managed by the host computer  130  or a similarly operative management system. The power controller  190  would receive signals from the host computer  130  that would include specific parameters. These parameters may include instructions that direct the power controller  190  to cycle up or down a specified power band. Further, from this specific power band range, the power controller would direct the directional antenna  120 , or the omni-directional antenna  170  to boost or diminish their respective signal strengths. Additionally, the direction to boost or diminish respective signal strength, would be in response to the power controller  190  determining that the specific RF signal was too small or too large and either affected the performance of other wireless devices in the area or vicinity, or did not create an optimal or near to optimal serviceable signal exchange for transmission and reception by the inventive directional antenna system. 
   Still further in addition, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , it should be understood that either the smart antenna actuator  180 , and or the power controller  190 , may be deployed in the inventive directional antenna system, or any such similar subsystem currently known or later developed. The scope of the inventive directional antenna system is not solely dependent upon either subsystems&#39; deployment or operation. 
     FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an exemplary method to activate the antennae according to this invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the process of activation of the antennae according to this invention begins at step S 300  and immediately continues to step S 310 . 
   In step S 310  the host computer  130 , or similar processor or controller, is initialized, or otherwise activated. The initialization may occur when the processor receives a signal from any type of conventional source or triggering event. Further, the initialization may incorporate any type of conventional source or triggering event, known or later developed. After the host computer  130  has been initialized, control continues to step S 320 . 
   In step S 320  the communications protocols are initialized, or otherwise activated. The communications protocols or protocol may be IEEE 802.11, or 802.11b, or some similarly effective protocol for wireless service, either currently known or later developed. After the communications protocols are initialized, control continues to step S 330 . 
   In step S 330  the driving circuits, or similar device or devices, are initialized, and which initialization process may include charging by active current or potential energy held in a storage device. The driving circuits may be a conventional capacitor array, or any other similar device or means currently known or later developed. After the driving circuits are initialized, control continues to step S 340 . 
   In step S 340  the antennae are initialized, or otherwise turned from an inactive state to an active state. The antennae initialization may include specific instructions directed to an individual antenna, or to a group of specific antennae, or to all the antennae within the addressable range for the inventive directional antenna system. It should be understood that antennae may include any type of antennae, including directional or omni-directional. After the antennae are initialized, control continues to step S 350 . 
   In step S 350  the determination is made whether the smart antennae routine is required. The discussion of the smart antennae routine is found following the description in  FIG. 4 . If in step S 350  the determination is made that the smart antenna routine is required, control continues to step S 400 . Contrary, and if the determination is not made that the smart antenna routine is required, control continues to step S 360 . 
   In step S 360  the determination is made whether the transmission power routine is required. The discussion of the transmission power routine is found following the description in  FIG. 5 . If in step S 360  the determination is made that the transmission power routine is required, control continues to step S 500 . Contrary, and if the determination is not made that the transmission power routine is required, control continues to step S 370 . 
   In step S 370  the inventive directional antenna system will receive the signal that it is permissible to scan, or otherwise operate the x-ray equipment for a radiology session. It is not determinative concerning the scope of the inventive directional antenna system by what method or means such signal is communicated to an operator, or received by another system. Further, in step S 370  a determination is made as to whether the scanning process is to be terminated. The scanning process may be terminated by a user logoff sequence, a timeout, through further control or management systems, or the like. If the scanning process is not terminated, control will jump to step S 300 . Steps S 300 -S 370  are then repeated until a determination is made in step S 370  that the session is to be terminated. Control then continues to step S 380  and process ends. 
     FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an exemplary method to activate a smart self-directing antenna routine for the inventive directional antenna system. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the process of activation of the smart self-directing antenna routine according to this invention begins at step S 400  and immediately continues to step S 410 . 
   In step S 410  the host computer  130 , or similar processor or controller, is initialized, or otherwise activated to manage, direct, and or balance the smart self-directing antenna routine. The initialization may occur when the processor receives a signal from any type of conventional source or triggering event. Further, the initialization may incorporate any type of conventional source or triggering event, known or later developed. After the host computer  130  has been initialized, control continues to step S 420 . 
   In step S 420 , and when the deployment of the inventive directional antenna system includes at least one actuator, the smart antenna actuator  180  or actuators are initialized, or otherwise activated. The antenna actuator  180  may be an actuator or device currently known or later developed. After the actuator  180  is initialized, or in the absence of any actuator control continues to step S 430 . 
   In step S 430  the communication signals, or similar message, are initialized, and which initialization process may include gathering data from a storage device or register. The communication signals may be a conventional data message, or any other similar method or means currently known or later developed. After the communication signals are initialized, control continues to step S 440 . 
   In step S 440  the field parameters are initialized, or otherwise turned from an inactive state to an active state, or otherwise sent to the host computer  130 . The data contained in the field parameters may include spatial coordinates or similar instructions directed to an individual antenna, or to a group of specific antennae. Further, the field parameters may include a preset register of directions corresponding to specific movement by the actuator  180 . After the field parameters are initialized, control continues to step S 450 . 
   In step S 450  the instruction sets are initialized, or otherwise turned from an inactive state to an active state, or otherwise sent to the host computer  130 . The data contained in the instruction set, may for example, direct the directional antenna  120  to move in a certain direction, or set of directions, or similar pattern. After the instruction sets are initialized, control continues to step S 460 . 
   In step S 460  the determination is made whether operational requirements for the inventive directional antenna system have been reached. The smart antennae routine may balance the need for further positional evaluation with the observed signal strength, and clarity. Other criterion may be used by the smart antenna routine in determining whether further positional evaluation is necessary, or if the measured signal is well within the operational boundaries, the smart antenna routine may end. If in step S 460  the determination is not made that the smart antenna routine is required, control continues to step S 470 . 
   In step S 470  the determination is made whether the observed transmission and reception of RF signals, between the antennae, is serviceable. Beyond operational boundaries, an evaluation may include a test signal sent between the given antennae pair, to establish a connection necessary for data transfer between two sources. If in step S 470  the determination is made that the observed transmission and reception signals are serviceable, control continues to step S 480 . 
   Contrary, and if the determination is not made that the observed transmission and reception signals are serviceable, a message may be sent to the host computer  130 , and or otherwise displayed to an operator, or technician. The operator or technician may then instruct the patient undergoing the x-ray to reposition themselves on the equipment. After the patient undergoing the x-ray is repositioned, control jumps to step S 460 . Steps S 460 -S 470  are then repeated until a determination is made in step S 470  that the observed transmission and reception signals are serviceable. 
   Control then continues to step S 480  and the inventive directional antenna system will receive the signal that it is permissible to scan, or otherwise operate the x-ray equipment for a radiology. After the inventive directional antenna system receives the signal that it is permissible to scan, or otherwise operate the x-ray equipment, control continues to step S 490 , which sends control back to step S 360 . Discussions of the steps that follow are found within the description for  FIG. 3 . 
     FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an exemplary method to activate a transmission power control routine for the inventive directional antenna system. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the process of activation of the transmission power control routine according to this invention begins at step S 500  and immediately continues to step S 510 . 
   In step S 510  the host computer  130 , or similar processor or controller, is initialized, or otherwise activated to manage, direct, and or balance the transmission power control routine. The initialization may occur when the processor receives a signal from any type of conventional source or triggering event. Further, the initialization may incorporate any type of conventional source or triggering event, known or later developed. After the transmission power control routine has been initialized, control continues to step S 520 . 
   In step S 520  the communication signals, or similar message, are initialized, and which initialization process may include gathering data from a storage device or register. The communication signals may be a conventional data message, or any other similar method or means currently known or later developed. After the communication signals are initialized, control continues to step S 530 . 
   In step S 530  the field parameters are initialized, or otherwise turned from an inactive state to an active state, or otherwise sent to the host computer  130 . The data contained in the field parameters may include power band constraints or similar instructions directed to a license-free, low power wireless environment with an individual antenna, or to a group of specific antennae. Further, the field parameters may include a preset register of directions corresponding to specific power settings and or levels. These specific power settings will be measured against the dynamic real-time power settings, and balanced by the optimal targeted settings. After the field parameters are initialized, control continues to step S 540 . 
   In step S 540  the instruction sets are initialized, or otherwise turned from an inactive state to an active state, or otherwise sent to the host computer  130 . The data contained in an instruction set, may for example, direct the transmission power controller  190  to cycle the power settings in a particular direction, or set of directions, for example to boost or to diminish power, or the like. After the instruction sets are initialized, control continues to step S 550 . 
   In step S 550  the determination is made whether operational requirements for the inventive directional antenna system have been reached. The transmission power routine may balance the need for further power adjustment evaluation with the observed RF signal strength, and clarity. Other criterion may be used by the transmission power routine in determining whether further power adjustment evaluation is necessary, or if the measured signal is well within the operational boundaries, the transmission power routine may end. If in step S 550  the determination is not made that the transmission power routine is required, control continues to step S 560 . 
   In step S 560  the determination is made whether the observed transmission and reception of RF signals, between the antennae, is serviceable. Beyond operational boundaries, an evaluation may include a test signal sent between the given antennae pair, to establish a connection necessary for data transfer between two sources. If in step S 560  the determination is made that the observed transmission and reception signals are serviceable, control continues to step S 570 . 
   Contrary, and if the determination is not made that the observed transmission and reception signals are serviceable, a message may be sent to the host computer  130 , and or otherwise displayed to an operator, or technician. The operator or technician may then instruct the patient undergoing the x-ray to reposition themselves on the equipment. After the patient undergoing the x-ray is repositioned, control jumps to step S 550 . Steps S 550 -S 560  are then repeated until a determination is made in step S 560  that the observed transmission and reception signals are serviceable. 
   Control then continues to step S 570  and the inventive directional antenna system will receive the signal that it is permissible to scan, or otherwise operate the x-ray equipment for a radiology After the inventive directional antenna system receives the signal that it is permissible to scan, or otherwise operate the x-ray equipment, control continues to step S 580 , which sends control back to step S 370 . Discussions of the steps that follow are found within the description for  FIG. 3 . 
   While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternative, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and the following claims are intended to cover such modifications and changes.