Patent Publication Number: US-2009224611-A1

Title: Docking station and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 200810083499.1 filed Mar. 7, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments described herein relate to a docking station and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a docking station to which a portable electronic device is detachably mounted and to which a peripheral device is connected, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with the docking station. 
     Since a function of a portable electronic device is limited, such portable electronic device is used as docked with an extension station when the function needs extension. The extension station has an extended function, and is configured such that a portable electronic device is detachably mounted thereto. Therefore, the extension station is integrated with a portable electronic device for providing a function equal to that of a fixed electronic device. The extension station is also referred to as a docking station (e.g., see paragraphs [0004] and [0005] and  FIG. 1  of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-89855). 
     A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is one type of portable electronic devices. When the function of the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is extended, it is mounted to a dedicated docking station for use. The docking station is provided with a probe driving system, a data processing system, a memory system, a power supply system, a peripheral device connection system, etc., the functions thereof being extended, and the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be operated equal to a fixed ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by the operations of these systems (e.g., see paragraphs [0049] and [0050], and  FIGS. 3 and 5  of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-200079). 
     Various peripheral devices are connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Appropriate general-purpose apparatuses, such as large-capacity storage device (e.g., HD (hard disk)), image recording device (e.g., DVD (digital versatile disk) or VCR (video cassette recorder)), printing device (e.g., monochrome printer or color printer), etc., are used as the peripheral devices (e.g., see paragraph [0016] and  FIG. 1  of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-37755). 
     When plural peripheral devices are connected to the docking station, the power supply should be turned on or off each time the peripheral devices are started to be used or stopped. The operation of the power supply described above should be performed independently of the on/off of the power supply of the portable electronic device on the docking station, so that the operation becomes complicated. 
     Therefore, when the power supply of the portable electronic device on the docking station is turned on or when the portable electronic device is removed from the docking station, the power supply of the peripheral device frequently remains ON. In this case, the state in which power is uselessly consumed is continued forever. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It is desirable that the problems described previously are solved. 
     According to one aspect, a docking station to which a portable electronic device is detachably mounted and to which a peripheral device is connected, includes a section for turning on or off the power supply of the peripheral device according to the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device to the docking station and according to the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the electronic device. 
     In a second aspect, and according to the first aspect, the section for turning on or off the power supply of the peripheral device includes: an operation section that performs a logical operation to a binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device and a binary signal indicating the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the electronic device; and an on/off section for turning on or off the electric power supply to the peripheral device on the basis of the result of the logical operation. 
     In a third aspect, and according to the second aspect, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device respectively becomes true or false according to the establishment or non-establishment of both of the attachment of the electronic device and the on-state of the power supply, and the binary signal indicating the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the electronic device respectively becomes true or false according to the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the electronic device. 
     In a fourth aspect, and according to the second aspect, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device respectively becomes true or false according to the attachment or detachment of the electronic device, and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the electronic device respectively becomes true or false according to the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the electronic device. 
     In a fifth aspect, and according to either the third aspect or fourth aspect, the logical operation is an AND operation. 
     In a sixth aspect, and according to the second aspect, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the electronic device are transmitted to the docking station from the electronic device through a docking port. 
     In a seventh aspect, and according to the sixth aspect, the docking port has a flat connector. 
     In an eighth aspect, and according to the seventh aspect, the connector has two transmitting sections that respectively transmit the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the electronic device. 
     In a ninth aspect, and according to the eighth aspect, the two transmitting sections are apart from each other at the connector. 
     In a tenth aspect, and according to the ninth aspect, the two transmitting sections are positioned at both ends of the connector. 
     According to an eleventh aspect, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device; a docking station to which the portable ultrasonic diagnostic device is detachably mounted; and a peripheral device connected to the docking station, wherein the docking station includes a section for turning on or off the power supply of the peripheral device according to the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device to the docking station and according to the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. 
     In a twelfth aspect, and according to the eleventh aspect, the section for turning on or off the power supply of the peripheral device includes: an operation section that performs a logical operation to a binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and a binary signal indicating the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device; and an on/off section for turning on or off the electric power supply to the peripheral device on the basis of the result of the logical operation. 
     In a thirteenth aspect, and according to the twelfth aspect, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device respectively becomes true or false according to the establishment or non-establishment of both of the attachment of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the on-state of the power supply, and the binary signal indicating the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device respectively becomes true or false according to the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. 
     In a fourteenth aspect, and according to the twelfth aspect, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device respectively becomes true or false according to the attachment or detachment of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device respectively becomes true or false according to the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the electronic device. 
     In a fifteenth aspect, and according to either the thirteenth aspect or the fourteenth aspect, the logical operation is an AND operation. 
     In a sixteenth aspect, and according to the twelfth aspect, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device are transmitted to the docking station from the ultrasonic diagnostic device through a docking port. 
     In a seventeenth aspect, and according to the sixteenth aspect, the docking port has a flat connector. 
     In an eighteenth aspect, and according to the seventeenth aspect, the connector has two transmitting sections that respectively transmit the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. 
     In a nineteenth aspect, and according to the eighteenth aspect, the two transmitting sections are apart from each other at the connector. 
     In a twentieth aspect, and according to the nineteenth aspect, the two transmitting sections are positioned at both ends of the connector. 
     According to the first aspect, the docking station to which a portable electronic device is detachably mounted and to which a peripheral device is connected, includes a section for turning on or off the power supply of the peripheral device according to the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device to the docking station and according to the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the electronic device. Therefore, the docking station has excellent operability of a power supply of a peripheral device. 
     According to the eleventh aspect, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device, a docking station to which the portable ultrasonic diagnostic device is detachably mounted, and a peripheral device connected to the docking station, wherein the docking station includes a section for turning on or off the power supply of the peripheral device according to the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device to the docking station and according to the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a docking station having excellent operability of a power supply of a peripheral device. 
     According to the second and twelfth aspects of the invention, the section for turning on or off the power supply of the peripheral device includes an operation section that performs a logical operation to a binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and a binary signal indicating the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and an on/off section for turning on or off the electric power supply to the peripheral device on the basis of the result of the logical operation. Therefore, the power supply of the peripheral device can appropriately be turned on or off according to the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device to the docking station and the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the electronic device. 
     According to the third and thirteenth aspects of the invention, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device respectively becomes true or false according to the establishment or non-establishment of both of the attachment of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the on-state of the power supply, and the binary signal indicating the on-state or the off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device respectively becomes true or false according to the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. Therefore, the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device to the docking station with the power supply turned on and the on/off state of the power supply of the electronic device can appropriately be shown. 
     According to the fourth and fourteenth aspects of the invention, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device respectively becomes true or false according to the attachment or detachment of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device respectively becomes true or false according to the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. Therefore, the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device to the docking station and the on/off state of the power supply of the electronic device can appropriately be shown. 
     According to the fifth and fifteenth aspects of the invention, the logical operation is an AND operation. Therefore, the on/off section can appropriately be driven according to the attachment/detachment state of the electronic device to the docking station and the on/off state of the power supply of the electronic device. 
     According to the sixth and sixteenth aspects of the invention, the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device are transmitted to the docking station from the ultrasonic diagnostic device through a docking port. Therefore, the signal can be transmitted with the attachment and detachment of the electronic device to the docking station. 
     According to the seventh and seventeenth aspects of the invention, the docking port has a flat connector. Therefore, the attachment and detachment of the electronic device to the docking station and the signal transmission with the attachment and the detachment can appropriately be performed. 
     According to the eighth and eighteenth aspects of the invention, the connector has two transmitting sections that respectively transmit the binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and the binary signal indicating the on-state or off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. Therefore, the signals of two types can appropriately be transmitted. 
     According to the ninth and nineteenth aspects of the invention, the two transmitting sections are apart from each other at the connector. Therefore, the signal transmission can be performed only in the state in which the electronic device is completely attached. 
     According to the tenth and twentieth aspects of the invention, the two transmitting sections are positioned at both ends of the connector. Therefore, the signal transmission can be performed only in the state in which the electronic device is completely attached. 
     Further objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will be apparent from the following description as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view showing an exemplary configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a view showing a configuration of a top board that may be used with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. The invention is not limited to embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 1  is an external view showing the configuration of an exemplary ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  10 . The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  10  represents one example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Further, a part of the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  10  represents one example of a docking station. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  10  is composed of three types of electronic devices  100 ,  200  and  300 , which are connected to one another. The electronic device  100  is a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device. The portable ultrasonic diagnostic device has an appearance similar to a notebook-type PC (personal computer). 
     The electronic device  100  is also referred to as an ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . 
     The electronic device  200  is a docking station. The docking station has various electronics systems for extending the function of the portable ultrasonic diagnostic device, such as a probe driving system, data processing system, memory system, power supply system, peripheral device connection system, etc., the functions of which are reinforced. The docking station has wheels for traveling so as to function as a cart. The electronic device  200  is also referred to as a docking station  200  below. 
     The electronic device  300  is a peripheral device. Usable peripheral device includes a large-capacity storage device such as HD, image recording device such as DVD or VCR, printing device such as monochrome printer or color printer, or other suitable general-purpose devices. The electronic device  300  is also referred to as a peripheral device  300  below. 
     The electronic device  100  is not limited to an ultrasonic diagnostic device. Any other suitable electronic devices may be employed as the electronic device  100 . The electronic device  200  and the electronic device  300  are not limited to the docking station and peripheral device for the ultrasonic diagnostic device. A docking station and peripheral device for extending the function of the above-mentioned other electronic devices may be employed. The wheels for traveling are not necessarily indispensable. 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is mounted on a horizontal top board  210  at the upper part of the docking station  200 . With this state, both are mechanically coupled by a connecting/releasing mechanism, and are electrically connected with a connector. 
     The peripheral device  300  is housed in a tray at the lower part of the docking station  200 . The peripheral device  300  is connected to the docking station  200  through a signal cable, and commercial AC power is supplied through the docking station  200 . 
     The ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  constitutes a fully-equipped ultrasonic diagnostic system with the docking station  200 . The ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  can be removed from the docking station  200 , and used singly for performing a basic ultrasonic diagnosis. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is operated by power from a self-contained battery. 
     The attachment of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  to the docking station  200  is referred simply as the attachment (mounting) of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 , and the removal of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  from the docking station  200  is simply referred to as a removal (detachment) of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the connection state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  and the docking station  200  seen from the backside. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the rear face of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  comes in contact with a bank  220  of the top board  210  from the front side. With this state, the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  and the docking station  200  are mechanically and electrically connected to each other. 
     A handle  222  that can be pressedly inserted is mounted to the bank  220 . The mechanical and electrical connection between the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  and the docking station  200  can be released by pushing the handle  222  in the forward direction. 
       FIG. 3  shows the configuration of the top board  210 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the top board  210  has two banks  220  and  230 . The banks  220  and  230  are respectively the front bank and the rear bank. A flat board  240  is disposed between the rear bank  220  and the front bank  230 . The ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is mounted on the flat board  240 . 
     A pair of hooks  302 a and  302 b and a connector plug  402  are projected forward from the front wall of the rear bank  220 . These hooks  302   a  and  302   b  and the connector plug  402  correspond to a pair of hook receivers and a connector receptacle provided at the rear surface of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . The connector plug  402  constitutes a flat connector with the connector receptacle. 
     A pair of rails  242   a  and  242   b  and a hook  244  are provided on the flat board  240 . The direction of the rails  240   a  and  240   b  is perpendicular to the bank  220 . The rails  242   a  and  242   b  and the hook  244  respectively correspond to a pair of sliders and a hook receiver provided at the bottom surface of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . 
     When the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is placed on the flat board  240  in such a manner that the rear surface thereof opposes to the front surface of the bank  220 , and pressed to the bank  220  with the rails  242   a  and  242   b  as guides, the hooks  302   a,    302   b,  and  244  and the connector plug  402  are engaged with the corresponding three hook receivers and the connector receptacle of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . Thus, the mechanical and electrical connection of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  and the docking station  200  is established. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  10 . Attention is paid on the portions relating to the operation of the peripheral device, and the other portions are simplified in the illustration. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  has a docking port  12 , and the docking station  200  has a docking port  22 . The ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  and the docking station  200  are connected through the docking ports  12  and  22 . 
     The docking port  12  includes the connector receptacle provided at the rear surface of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . The docking port  22  includes the connector plug  402  provided to the rear bank  220  of the top board  210 . The connector receptacle and the connector plug are generically named a connector below. 
     The peripheral device  300  is connected to the docking station  200  via a signal cable  32 . Usable peripheral devices  300  include an LCD (liquid crystal display)  300   a,  DVD  300   b,  monochrome printer  300   c,  color printer  300   d,  and VCR  300   e.  An USB (universal serial bus) cable or VGA (video gate array) cable is used as the signal cable  32 . 
     Commercial AC power is supplied, as a power supply, to the peripheral device  300  through an isolation transformer  42  and a power supply on/off circuit  44 . The AC output power of the isolation transformer  42  is converted into DC power at an AD/DC circuit  46  to be supplied to the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 , the docking station  200  and the power supply on/off circuit  44  as a power supply. 
     Two types of signals S 1  and S 2  are transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  to the docking station  200  through the docking ports  12  and  22 . The signal S 1  is a binary signal indicating the attachment/detachment state of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  to the docking station  200 , while the signal S 2  is a binary signal indicating the on/off state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . The signal S 1  is referred to as a working signal, while the signal S 2  is referred to as a power status signal below. 
     The logical value of the working signal S 1  becomes true when the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is attached with the power supply turned on. The logical value thereof becomes false in the other cases, such as when the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is attached with the power supply turned off, when the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is removed with the power supply turned on, and when the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is removed with the power supply turned off. 
     The logical value of the power status signal S 2  becomes true and false according to the on-state and off-state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . Considering that the on/off state of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is reflected on the power status signal S 2 , the logical value of the working signal S 1  may instead become true and false respectively according to the attachment and detachment of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . 
     The working signal S 1  and the power status signal S 2  are respectively transmitted through two transmitting sections of the connector. The two transmitting sections are apart from each other at the connector. Preferably, the two transmitting sections are located at both ends of the connector. Thus, the working signal S 1  and the power status signal S 2  are transmitted only when the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is properly mounted to the docking station  200 . 
     The docking station  200  performs a logical operation for the working signal S 1  and the power status signal S 2  by a logic section  24 , and inputs the result to the power supply on/off circuit  44  as a control signal S 3 . 
     The logical operation at the logic section  24  is an AND operation. Accordingly, the logical value of the control signal S 3  becomes true when both of the working signal S 1  and the power status signal S 2  are true, and false when one or both of the working signal S 1  and the power status signal S 2  are false. The power supply on/off circuit  44  feeds the commercial AC power to the peripheral device  300  when the logical value of the control signal S 3  is true, while cuts off the electric power supply of the commercial AC power when the logical value of the control signal S 3  is false. 
     The logic section  24  and the power supply on/off circuit  44  are one example of the section for turning on or off the power supply of the peripheral device in the invention. The logic section  24  is one example of an operation section in the invention. The power supply on/off circuit  44  is one example of an on/off section in the invention. 
     Thanks to the operations of the logic section  24  and the power supply on/off circuit  44 , power supply is fed to the peripheral device  300  only when the working signal S 1  and the power status signal S 2  are both true. When one or both of the working signal S 1  and the power status signal S 2  are false, the power supply is not fed. 
     When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus  100  is properly mounted to the docking station  200  and the power supply thereof is turned on, both of the working signal S 1  and the power status signal S 2  become true. Only during this state, the power supply is fed to the peripheral device  300 . Conversely, when one or both of the proper attachment of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  and the on-state of the power supply are not established, the power supply is not fed to the peripheral device  300 . 
     The power supply of the peripheral device  300  can be turned on or off with the attachment/detachment of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  to the docking station  200  and the on/off of the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100 . Therefore, it is unnecessary to turn on or off the power supplies of the respective peripheral devices  300   a,    300   b,    300   c,    300   d,  and  300   e  one by one. 
     Specifically, in order to turn the power supply of the peripheral device  300  on, the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  may be attached to the docking station  200  with the power supply turned on or the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  is turned on after it is attached to the docking station  200 . 
     In order to turn the power supply of the peripheral device  300  off, the power supply of the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  may be turned off with the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  attached to the docking station  200  or the ultrasonic diagnostic device  100  may be removed from the docking station  200  with the power supply turned on. 
     Many widely different embodiments of the invention may be configured without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the specification, except as defined in the appended claims.