Patent Publication Number: US-2017366212-A1

Title: Mobile device with dual embedded wireless radios

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/350,939, which was filed on Jun. 16, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wirelessly transmitting and receiving data using a plurality of internal wireless adapters and more specifically to transmitting and receiving data simultaneously using the plurality of internal wireless adapters. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Mobile processing devices such as laptops and tablets are currently configured to include a single internal Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi®) radio (hereinafter referred to as “wireless adapter”) that enable the mobile processing devices to connect to various networks. In some instances, the single internal wireless adapter is single band, e.g., 2.4 Ghz or 5 Ghz wireless capability. In some instances, the single internal wireless adapter is dual band, e.g., includes both 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz wireless capabilities. 
     In the case of a single band internal wireless adapter, in order for a mobile processing device containing such an adapter to be able to communicate with, for example, both a wireless network and another device that supports wireless communication, the single band internal wireless adapter must be shared by the wireless network and the other device, which results in a sequential operation by the mobile processing device when handling data to be shared between the wireless network and the other device. 
     For example, current wireless X-ray systems include a mobile processing device, e.g., notebook, tablet, etc., with a single dual band internal wireless adapter wirelessly connected to both a wireless X-ray detector and a wireless network where the X-ray system is located, e.g., hospital wireless network. Both the wireless X-ray detector and the hospital&#39;s wireless network must share the mobile processing device&#39;s single dual band internal wireless adapter. This requires that acquiring images from the wireless X-ray detector and sending them to the hospital&#39;s wireless network must occur sequentially. For instance, if 10 X-ray images of a patient are to be obtained, all 10 images would need to be obtained first and then the images would be sent to the hospital&#39;s wireless network. 
     A delay such as this results in a slowdown of the overall patient treatment workflow since an X-ray technologist operating the mobile processing device would only be able to connect the mobile processing device to either the wireless X-ray detector or the hospital&#39;s wireless network at any given time. For example, in a trauma situation, where providing patient care is time critical, it is important that X-ray images be taken, acquired, and made available for review as quickly and efficiently as possible. 
     In the case of a dual band internal wireless adapter, a mobile processing device containing such an adapter can connect to a wireless network via one band, e.g., 5 GHz, and another device that supports wireless communication via the other band, i.e., 2.4 GHz. However, while the dual band internal wireless adapter can use either band, it cannot use both bands at the same time. As such, replacing the single band internal wireless adapter in the above-described wireless X-ray system with a dual band internal wireless adapter would result in the same data transmission issue. 
     What is needed is mobile processing device equipped with dual internal wireless adapters where one internal wireless adapter is configured to communicate with, for example, a wirelessly enabled device, such as a wireless X-ray detector, and the second internal wireless adapter is configured to communicate with, for example, a wireless network, such as a hospital&#39;s wireless network, where the mobile processing device simultaneously communicates with the wirelessly enabled device and the wireless network. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least one aspect of the present disclosure generally relates to providing a mobile processing device with at least two internal wireless adapters where the mobile processing device simultaneously communicates with different entities using the at least two internal wireless adapters. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure generally relates to a mobile processing device comprising a first wireless interface, installed internally in the mobile processing device, in communication with an external device, a second wireless interface, installed internally in the mobile processing device, in communication with a network, and a control unit that controls the first wireless interface to acquire data from the external device and the second wireless interface to transmit the acquired data to the network, wherein acquisition of the data and transmission of the acquired data occur in parallel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a representational view illustrating a general configuration of a system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is block diagram illustrating a general configuration of the internal architecture of a mobile processing device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are block diagrams illustrating configurations for interfacing a second wireless interface adapter according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration of a mobile processing device with two internal wireless interface adapters according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration of a mobile processing device with two internal wireless interface adapters according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration of a mobile processing device with two internal wireless interface adapters according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is illustrates a general data and control flow of the system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a data and control flow between the mobile processing device and another device using an internal wireless interface adapter according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a data storage flow of the system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a workflow of the system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a flow for obtaining hardcopies of data according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a data acquisition and transmission process according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a representational view illustrating a general configuration of a system  100  according to an exemplary embodiment. For discussion purposes, system  100  represents a wireless X-ray imaging system. System  100  includes, but is not limited to, mobile processing device  101 , wireless X-ray detector  104 , access point  105 , network  106 , and image review station  107 . While illustrated as a laptop, mobile processing device  101  can be any type of mobile device, e.g., a tablet, which would enable practice of the present disclosure. Mobile processing device  101  includes internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and internal wireless adapter # 2   103 , where both internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and internal wireless adapter # 2   103  are internally installed in mobile processing device  101 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and internal wireless adapter # 2   103  both conform to known Wi-Fi® standards. Both internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and internal wireless adapter # 2   103  can be dual band adapters, where each adapter can operate at the same band as the other or a different band from the other. Internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and internal wireless adapter # 2   103  are not limited to the Wi-Fi® standards and can conform to any wireless communication standard, e.g., Bluetooth®, Near Field Communication (NFC), that would enable practice of the present disclosure. 
     Mobile processing device  101  is wirelessly connected to wireless X-ray detector  104  via internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and to access point  105  via internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . Digital X-ray images can be acquired via internal wireless adapter # 1   102  from wireless X-ray detector  104  while any previously acquired images can simultaneously be sent via internal wireless adapter # 2   103  to access point  105 . These images can then be forwarded via network  106  to image review station  107 , where, for example, a doctor can receive and view them while an X-ray technologist is still performing exams and acquiring X-ray images. Thus, a doctor will not need to wait for the X-ray technologist to complete all of the exams before receiving X-ray images for review. For discussion purposes, network  106  is a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) network, but any type of network that supports handling, storing, printing and transmitting medical imaging information is applicable. 
       FIG. 2  is block diagram illustrating a general configuration of the internal architecture of mobile processing device  101  according to an exemplary embodiment. Mobile processing device  101  includes at least one processor (CPU)  20 , which can be any type of microprocessor, I/O interface  21  and I/O interface  27  for communicating with other devices, networks, etc., and display interface  22  for interfacing with a display (not shown) of the mobile processing device. 
     Read only memory (ROM)  24  stores invariant computer-executable process steps for basic system functions such as basic I/O, start-up, etc. Main random access memory (RAM)  23  provides CPU  20  with memory storage that can be accessed quickly. In this regard, computer-executable process steps of an X-ray imaging application, as well as other applications, are transferred from storage  25  over bus  26  to RAM  23  and executed therefrom by CPU  20 . 
     The memory can include one or more computer-readable or computer-writable storage media. A computer-readable storage medium, as opposed to mere transitory, propagating signals, includes a tangible article of manufacture, for example, a magnetic disk, e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, an optical disc, e.g., CD, DVD, etc., magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, or semiconductor memory, e.g., non-volatile memory, flash memory, solid-state drive, SRAM, DRAM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc. 
     Storage  25 , which, in addition to the X-ray imaging application, includes an operating system, a web browser, and other applications that enable the mobile processing device to provide a multitude of different functions. 
     The above-described components illustrated in  FIG. 2  are provided for example purposes only. The mobile processing device of the present disclosure need not include all of the described components, can include additional components, and any configuration enabling practice of the present disclosure is applicable. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  are block diagrams illustrating different methods for interfacing a second internal wireless adapter with mobile processing device  101  according to an exemplary embodiment. For discussion purposes, the depicted configurations reflect interfacing with a notebook or tablet as the mobile processing device. However, any type of mobile processing device that would enable practice of the present disclosure is applicable. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a configuration for interfacing internal wireless adapter # 2   103  with mobile processing device  101  utilizing an interfacing cable that includes a universal serial bus (USB) Header plug and a USB Type A connector. Antenna  305  is secured to the wireless radio board  304  to create internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . Interface cable  301 , which connects the motherboard (not illustrated) of mobile processing device  101  with wireless radio board  304 , includes USB Header plug connector  302 , which connects to a USB Header plug (not illustrated) on the motherboard, and USB Type A Connector to USB Type wireless adapter  303 . Wireless radio board  304  includes a USB interface that connects to USB Type A Connector to USB Type wireless adapter  303 , which enables internal wireless adapter # 2   103  to interface to mobile processing device  101 , thus providing mobile processing device  101  with a second internal wireless interface. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a configuration for interfacing internal wireless adapter # 2   103  with mobile processing device  101  utilizing a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface. PCIe type Wi-Fi radio board  309  with antenna  310  secured to it constitutes internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . Internal wireless adapter # 2   103  connects to a PCIe female connector  308  of a PCIe extension ribbon cable  305 . PCIe extension ribbon cable  305  connects to a PCIe female connector  306  mounted to the motherboard (not illustrated) of mobile processing device  101  via PCIe male connector  307 . This enables internal wireless adapter # 2   103  to interface to mobile processing device  101 , thus providing mobile processing device  101  with a second internal wireless interface. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates a configuration for interfacing internal wireless adapter # 2   103  with mobile processing device  101  utilizing a direct peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface. PCIe type Wi-Fi radio board  311  with antenna  312  secured to it constitutes internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . Internal wireless adapter # 2   103  connects directly to the motherboard of mobile processing device  101  via PCIe connector  313 . This enables internal wireless adapter # 2   103  to interface to mobile processing device  101 , thus providing mobile processing device  101  with a second internal wireless interface. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration of a mobile processing device with two internal wireless interface adapters according to an exemplary embodiment. The reference numbers for components previously described are repeated in  FIG. 4  and descriptions of those components are not repeated herein. Internal wireless adapter # 1   102  includes antenna # 1   403  secured to wireless radio # 1   402 . Internal wireless adapter # 1  is connected to a PCIe connector (not illustrated) on motherboard  404  of mobile processing device  101  via PCIe connector  401  of wireless radio # 1   402 . Internal wireless adapter # 2   103  interfaces with motherboard  404  via USB Header plug  405  using the configuration of  FIG. 3A  as described above. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration of a mobile processing device with two internal wireless interface adapters according to an exemplary embodiment. The reference numbers for components previously described are repeated in  FIG. 5  and descriptions of those components are not repeated herein. Internal wireless adapter # 1   102  includes antenna # 1   503  secured to wireless radio # 1   502 . Internal wireless adapter # 1  is connected to a PCIe connector (not illustrated) on motherboard  504  of mobile processing device  101  via PCIe connector  501  of wireless radio # 1   502 . Wireless adapter # 2   103  interfaces with motherboard  504  via PCIe female connector  306  using the configuration of  FIG. 3B  as described above. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration of a mobile processing device with two internal wireless interface adapters according to an exemplary embodiment. The reference numbers for components previously described are repeated in  FIG. 6  and descriptions of those components are not repeated herein. Internal wireless adapter # 1   102  includes antenna # 1   603  secured to wireless radio # 1   602 . Internal wireless adapter # 1   102  is connected to a PCIe connector (not illustrated) on motherboard  604  of mobile processing device  101  via PCIe connector  601  of wireless radio # 1   602 . Internal wireless adapter # 2   103  connects to a PCIe connector (not illustrated) on motherboard  604  of mobile processing device  101  via PCIe connector  313 . 
     In a wireless X-ray imaging system, each of the configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6  enable mobile processing device  101  to use a first internal wireless interface (internal wireless adapter # 1   102 ) to interface/communicate with wireless X-ray detector  104  and second internal wireless interface (internal wireless adapter # 2   103 ) to interface/communicate with access point  105  on a hospital network (network  106 ). This facilitates a parallel operation of acquiring X-ray images while sending the acquired X-ray images for review. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a general data and control flow of the system according to an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary flow, X-ray imaging application  701  facilitates acquisition of X-ray images by mobile processing device  101  from wireless X-ray detector  104  via internal wireless adapter # 1   102 . X-ray imaging application  701  also facilities transmission of X-ray images from mobile processing device  101  to network  106  via internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . 
     X-ray imaging application  701  includes Storage Application  803 , Workflow Application  804 , and Hardcopy Application  805  to support acquisition and transfer of X-ray images and associated information/data. Each of these applications are described in more detail below. X-ray imaging application  701  receives and transmits X-ray images in parallel via internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and internal wireless adapter # 2   103  respectively as described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a data and control flow between the mobile processing device and another device using an internal wireless interface adapter according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically,  FIG. 8  illustrates the data and control flow between mobile processing device  101  and wireless X-ray detector  104 . 
     As previously described, X-ray image application  701  facilitates the interface between mobile processing device  101  and wireless X-ray detector  104  via internal wireless adapter # 1   102 . X-ray image application  701  includes Make Detector Ready  801  and Received Acquired Image  802 . Make Detector Ready  801  enables a user of mobile processing device  101  to prepare wireless detector  104  for operation. Received Acquired Image  802  enables a user of mobile processing device  101  to confirm that an X-ray image was acquired from wireless X-ray detector  104  during a specific X-ray exam. 
     Wireless X-ray detector  104  includes Detector Ready Signal  806 , Detector Status  807 , and Send Acquired Image  808 . Detector Ready Signal  806  provides a signal to mobile processing device  101  whether wireless X-ray detector  104  is in a ready-to-use state. Detector Status  807  provides a status of the detector  104 . Send Acquired Image  808  sends X-ray images acquired by wireless X-ray detector  104  to mobile processing device  101 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a data storage flow of the system according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically,  FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary flow of mobile processing device  101  storing data and other information on network  106 . The data and information is transmitted from mobile processing device  101  to network  106  via internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . 
     Storage application  803  includes Send Images &amp; GSPS  901 , Send Reports  902 , Send Commitment  903 , and Verify  904 . Send Images &amp; GSPS  901  enables mobile processing device  101  to send X-ray images acquired from wireless X-ray detector  104  to network  106 . Send Reports  902  enables mobile processing device  101  to send X-ray imaging related reports to network  106 . Send Commitment  903  provides mobile processing device  101  with the ability to confirm with network  106  that transmitted X-ray images have been stored on network  106  and can be removed from the mobile processing device  101 . Verify  904  is used by mobile processing device  101  to authenticate itself with network  106 . 
     Network  106  includes Remote Application Entity Receives Images &amp; GSPS  905 , Remote Application Entity Receives Reports  906 , Remote Application Entity Receives Commitment  907 , and Verification SCU or SCP  908 . In the present exemplary embodiment, each of these is implemented in image review station  107 . However, this is not seen to be limiting, and each can be implemented in any applicable device connected to network  106 . 
     Remote Application Entity Receives Images &amp; GSPS  905  is used by image review station  107  to receive X-ray images transmitted to network  106  by mobile processing device  101 . Remote Application Entity Receives Reports  906  is used to receive report related information transmitted to network  106  by mobile processing device  101 . Remote Application Entity Receives Commitment  907  is used by network  106  to receive commitment requests from mobile processing device  101  and provide a response, e.g., received X-ray image data stored and can be removed from device. Verification Service Class User (SCU) or Service Class Provider (SCP)  908  is used by network  106  as part of mobile processing device  101  authenticating itself to network  106  and network  106  authenticating itself to mobile processing device  101 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a workflow of the system according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically,  FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary flow of mobile processing device  101  receiving X-ray work orders from network  106 . 
     Workflow Application  804  includes Update Worklist  1001 , Acquire Images  1002 , and Verify  904 . Update Worklist  1001  maintains and updates a current list of X-ray imaging orders stored in mobile processing device  101  based on information provided from network  106  via internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . Acquire Images  1002  facilitates acquisition of X-ray images by mobile processing device  101  from wireless X-ray detector  104  via internal wireless adapter # 1   102 . 
     Network  106  includes Remote Application Entity Provides Worklist Items  1004 , Remote Application Entity Receives MPPS, Create/Update  1005 , and Verification Service Class Provider (SCP)  908 . In the present exemplary embodiment, each of these is implemented in image review station  107 . However, this is not seen to be limiting, and each can be implemented in any applicable device connected to network  106 . 
     Remote Application Entity Provides Worklist Items  1004  generates X-ray orders submitted by, for example, a doctor, which are then transmitted to mobile processing device via internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . Remote Application Entity Receives MPPS (Modality Performed Procedure Step), Create/Update  1005  enables network  106  to receive information from mobile processing device  101  regarding imaging the mobile processing device  101  is performing. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a flow for obtaining hardcopies of data according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically,  FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary flow of mobile processing device  101  initiating printing of acquired X-ray images and other information on network  106 . 
     Hardcopy Application  805  includes Acquire Images  1002 , Verify  904 , and Hardcopy Request  1101 . Hardcopy Request  1101  is used to generate a request that mobile processing device  101  transmits to network  106 , via internal wireless adapter # 2   103 , to print copies of acquired X-ray images. 
     Network  106  includes Remote Application Entity Prints X-ray Images  1102  and Verification Service Class Provider (SCP)  908 . In the present exemplary embodiment, each of these is implemented in image review station  107 . However, this is not seen to be limiting, and each can be implemented in any applicable device connected to network  106 . Remote Application Entity Prints X-Ray Images  1102  is used to print copies of X-ray images based on the request transmitted by mobile processing device  101 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a parallel data acquisition and transmission process according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically,  FIG. 12  illustrates the parallel process implemented by X-ray imaging application  701  of obtaining X-ray images from wireless X-ray detector  104  using internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and transmitting acquired X-ray images to network  106  using internal wireless adapter # 2   103 , as previously referenced with respect to  FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 . 
     In step S 1201 , X-ray imaging application  701  issues a command to cause wireless X-ray detector  104  to initiate the process of capturing an X-ray image of a patient. The command is sent for each X-ray image event included in a worklist provided to the mobile processing device  101  from Remote Application Entity Provide Worklist items  1004 . 
     In step  1202 , X-ray imaging application  701  issues an X-ray image acquisition request to wireless X-ray detector  104 . X-ray detector  104 , using Send Acquired Image  808 , sends the requested X-ray image to the mobile processing device  101  via internal wireless X-ray adapter # 1   102 . X-ray application  701  re-sends the X-ray image acquisition request for each additional X-ray image to be acquired. Send Acquired Image  808  sends each of the additional requested X-ray images to the mobile processing device  101 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in parallel to sending an X-ray image acquisition request to wireless X-ray detector  104  via internal wireless adapter # 1   102 , X-ray imaging application  701  transmits an acquired X-ray image to network  106  via internal wireless adapter # 2   103 . The use of internal wireless adapter # 1   102  and internal wireless adapter # 2   103  by X-ray imaging application  701  to acquire X-ray images from wireless X-ray detector  104  while sending previously acquired X-ray images to network  106  in parallel enables doctors to receive X-ray images and begin reviewing the received X-ray images while a technologist is still performing exams and acquiring X-ray images. 
     The scope of the present disclosure includes a computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more of the above-described exemplary embodiments. Examples of a computer-readable storage medium include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a compact-disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a compact disk recordable (CD-R), a CD-Rewritable (CD-RW), a digital versatile disk ROM (DVD-ROM), a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, a DVD+RW, magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM. Computer-executable instructions can also be supplied to the computer-readable storage medium by being downloaded via a network. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that these exemplary embodiments are not seen to be limiting. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.