JP2006174854A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of saving the power consumption in a sleep mode and shifting the mode to a normal operation mode in a short time on receiving a signal to release the sleep mode. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a system control part 3 consisting of a CPU 1 and a CPU peripheral control part 2, an ultrasonic control part 8 for scanning on transmitting/receiving of ultrasonic waves, and a power supply part 10 for feeding electric power. The ultrasonic control part has a clock control part 6 for feeding clock signals to components, and the CPU stops feeding of the clock signals to the components from the clock control part when the mode of the apparatus is shifted to the sleep mode in which the apparatus is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to power saving in a sleep mode of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a system control unit 20 that controls each unit, a power supply unit 10 that supplies power to each unit, a power switch (SW) 11 that controls a power supply unit 10 by a user, and an ultrasound that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. The sound wave control unit 22 and the display unit 9 for displaying the measurement result are included.

  The system control unit 20 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 1 that controls the entire system and a CPU peripheral control unit 19 that transmits instructions of the CPU 1 to each unit. The ultrasonic control unit 22 includes a transmission unit 4 that transmits ultrasonic waves, a reception unit 5 that receives ultrasonic waves, a CLK (clock) control unit 21 that generates a system clock, and an ultrasonic wave received from the reception unit 5. The display control unit 7 converts a signal into a video signal.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above shifts to a standby state defined by the user when it does not comply with the ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface Specification) specifications formulated by Intel and Microsoft. . However, the transition to the standby state simply terminates the operating system such as Windows (registered trademark) and then the power is turned off, and the transition from the standby state to the normal operation state is a simple system startup. It just works.

  In ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, digital circuits occupy a high ratio, and circuits are highly integrated. Therefore, CMOS devices are often used. Since the power consumption of a CMOS device increases as the frequency increases, the power consumption can be reduced by lowering the operation clock (Clock, hereinafter referred to as CLK) (see Non-Patent Document 1).

Further, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1, a medical inspection apparatus that can shorten the time required for starting an apparatus and the time required for preparation for an inspection has been proposed. In such a medical examination apparatus, in order to improve examination efficiency, a schedule management unit is provided, and power supply connection and disconnection are controlled according to the schedule.
JP 2002-159449 A Advanced Configuration and Power Interface Specification

  However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the power supply is normally turned off at the end of use, there is a problem that it takes a long time to start up the next use. In addition, in order for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be able to be activated in a short time when the power is turned on in the standby mode, it is necessary to shorten the initialization time. For this reason, it is necessary to maintain the power source of the device storing the set value, and it is difficult to turn on / off the power source for each device. Must be almost the same. As a result, there is a problem that even if the power supply on the surface is turned off, the state is close to the normal operation state, that is, the power consumption is not reduced.

  The present invention is for solving the conventional problems, and can reduce power consumption in the sleep mode, and when receiving a signal for canceling the sleep state, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that shifts to the normal operation state in a short time. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a CPU that generates a command, a CPU peripheral control unit that transmits a command of the CPU to each component, and an ultrasonic that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and performs scanning. The ultrasonic control unit includes a power source unit that is controlled by the CPU and supplies power to each component included in the ultrasonic control unit. The ultrasonic control unit generates a clock and supplies the clock to the components of the ultrasonic control unit. The CPU has a function of stopping the generation of a clock from the CLK control unit to the constituent elements when shifting to a sleep mode that is a stop state.

  With this configuration, power consumption can be suppressed by stopping clock generation in the sleep mode.

  In addition, the CPU may be configured to have a function of stopping power supply from the power supply unit to the components of the ultrasonic control unit or a part of the components when shifting to the sleep mode.

  With this configuration, power consumption in the sleep mode can be further suppressed.

  The ultrasonic control unit includes a transmission unit that transmits ultrasonic waves and a reception unit that receives reflected waves, and the CPU supplies power to the transmission unit and the reception unit in the power supply unit when shifting to the sleep mode. A configuration having a function of stopping can also be adopted.

  With this configuration, power consumption in the sleep mode can be suppressed by stopping the power supply to the transmission unit and the reception unit with large power consumption.

  In addition, the CPU can be configured to have a function of selecting whether to stop the power supply from the power supply unit to the components of the ultrasonic control unit when shifting to the sleep mode.

  With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately suppress power consumption by selecting whether or not to stop power supply in the sleep mode.

  In addition, when the power supply from the power supply unit is stopped, the CPU can be configured to have a function of selecting a target component to stop the power supply from the power supply unit.

  With this configuration, the operator can select whether or not to stop the power supply during the sleep mode according to the situation, and can suppress the power consumption according to the situation.

  Further, when the CPU shifts to the sleep mode, whether or not to stop the power supply from the power supply unit to the components of the ultrasonic control unit according to the return time for returning from the sleep mode to the normal operation state It is also possible to adopt a configuration having a function of selecting the above.

  With this configuration, it is possible to set a return time, and when the CPU shifts to the sleep mode, the CPU stops generating the clock and further selects whether to stop the power supply according to the return time. In the sleep mode, power consumption can be appropriately reduced.

  In addition, an RTC that measures the duration of the unused state may be provided, and the CPU may be configured to have a function of shifting to the sleep mode when the RTC measures a predetermined duration.

  With this configuration, when the unused state continues, it is possible to shift to the sleep mode regardless of the operation of the operator, and power consumption can be reduced.

  The present invention can provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can suppress power consumption in the sleep mode and that shifts to the normal operation state in a short time when a signal for canceling the sleep state is received.

  First, the standby mode and the sleep mode will be described. The standby mode is an operation mode in which only the standby power supply is output and the power supply during normal operation stops outputting. The sleep mode is an operation mode prepared for the next activation in a state where the CPU (central processing unit) is stopped regardless of the state of the power supply. In the standby mode state (standby state), the CPU is in a completely stopped state or a sleep state.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention can reduce the power consumption in the sleep mode by stopping the clock signal in the apparatus when shifting from the normal operation state to the sleep mode.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a system control unit 3 that controls each component, an ultrasonic control unit 8 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a display unit 9 that displays an ultrasound image, and power to each component. And a power switch (power SW) 11 for the user to turn on the power.

  The system control unit 3 includes a CPU 1 and a CPU peripheral control unit 2. The CPU 1 has a register for controlling a clock signal in the ultrasonic control unit 8 and controls the entire system. The CPU peripheral control unit 2 directly controls other components according to instructions from the CPU 1. The ultrasonic control unit 8 receives the signals from the transmission unit 4 that transmits ultrasonic waves, the reception unit 5 that receives reflected waves of the transmitted ultrasonic waves, the CLK control unit 6 that generates a clock signal, and the reception unit 5. It comprises a display control unit 7 that converts it into a video image.

  Since the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above is the same as that of a general ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, description of the operation is omitted.

  Next, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, an operation from the normal operation state in which the CPU 1 performs diagnosis to the power-saving sleep state will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example from the time when the power supply SW11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is changed from On to Off until the CPU 1 enters the sleep state.

  When the power supply SW11 is turned off while the power is on, that is, when the CPU 1, the CPU peripheral control unit 2, and the ultrasonic control unit 8 are all operating, the CPU 1 sets the sleep mode. Start (step S1). In the Live state where an ultrasonic image is obtained, the transmission of the ultrasonic wave (Tx) transmitted from the transmission unit 4 in the Live state is stopped by software control by the CPU 1 (step S2).

  The CPU 1 rewrites a register for causing the CLK control unit 6 to generate or stop the clock, and sends the clock to the CLK control unit 6 to the CLK control unit 6 of the ultrasonic control unit 8 via the CPU peripheral control unit 2. Send a signal to stop the generation. The CLK control unit 6 stops generating the clock according to the signal (step S3). Thereafter, the CPU 1 stops, enters a state ready for the next operation, and ends the setting for entering the sleep state (step S4).

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment transitions from the normal operation state to the sleep mode state.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow from the time when the power supply SW 11 is switched from Off to On until the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment reaches the normal operation state.

  When the power supply SW11 is turned from Off to On in the sleep state, that is, the CPU 1 is stopped, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus starts setting for canceling the sleep state (step S11). The CPU 1 operates to rewrite the register to start a clock that can be controlled by software, and sends a clock generation signal to the CLK controller 6 via the CPU peripheral controller 2 to generate the clock. (Step S12). The transmission unit 4 sets Tx in a transmittable state (step S13). The CPU 1 ends the setting for canceling the sleep state, and enters the normal operation state (step S14).

  In the present embodiment, when the power SW 11 is turned off, the CPU 1 enters a sleep state. When the CPU 1 shifts to the sleep mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be in a state in which the power consumption is suppressed as compared with the normal sleep mode by causing the CLK control unit 6 to stop generating the clock. Furthermore, by holding various setting states stored on the hardware in the transmission unit 4 and the reception unit 5 in the ultrasonic control unit 8, it is possible to shorten the startup time for shifting to the normal operation state. .

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment. The same components as those of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. This embodiment is different with respect to the power supplied from the power supply unit 10 to the transmission unit 4 and the reception unit 5 of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a transmission unit 12, a reception unit 13, an ultrasonic control unit 14 including the transmission unit 12 and the reception unit 13, a transmission unit 12, and a reception unit 13. The power supply part 15 which supplies electric power to is included.

  In FIG. 4, lines for supplying power from the power supply unit 15 to the transmission unit 12 and the reception unit 13 are shown. The power supply from the power supply unit 15 to the transmission unit 12 and the reception unit 13 is the same as in FIG. 1, but in this embodiment, the power supply from the power supply unit 15 to the transmission unit 12 and the reception unit 13 is controlled. It is shown because it is a feature.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the CPU 1 generates a clock to the CLK control unit 6 in the situation where the frequency of use is very high, such as emergency or outpatient, as in the first embodiment. By stopping only the operation and shifting to the sleep mode, it is possible to return in a short time during use.

  In addition, when the usage frequency is very low, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment further reduces power consumption by stopping the supply of power to the transmission unit 12 and the reception unit 13 in combination with the sleep mode. Can be reduced. Whether or not to stop the supply of power in the sleep mode is determined by, for example, selection by the operator using a high / low button that is frequently used by the power source SW11, input of a return time from the sleep mode to the normal operation state, or the like.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the supply of power is stopped, the contents of the register of the ultrasonic control unit 14 are not lost, so there is no need to re-transfer the contents of the register at the time of return. Thus, the startup time can be shortened. Moreover, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which generation of a clock is stopped, or analog power supply to the transmission unit 12 and the reception unit 13 is selectively stopped.

  In this way, the CPU 1 selectively stops the generation of the clock, or the clock generation is stopped and the power supply is stopped, so that the recovery time according to the use situation and the sleep mode can be reduced. The low power consumption can be selected.

  In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 15 stops the power supply to the transmission unit 4 and the reception unit 5, but similarly stops the power supply for the display control unit 7 and other components not shown. Can be configured.

  In addition, by setting the return time, the configuration in which the power supply unit 15 sets which component to stop supplying power to the component of the ultrasonic control unit 14 when shifting to the sleep mode. Anyway.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. The same components as those of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a Real Time Clock (hereinafter referred to as RTC) 18 is added to the CPU peripheral control unit 16.

  In FIG. 5, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment includes a CPU peripheral control unit 16, a system control unit 17 composed of the CPU 1 and the CPU peripheral control unit 16, and an RTC 18 that actually realizes the function of a watch. Is included.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be briefly described. When the CPU 1 recognizes that the predetermined time has elapsed after the unused time is counted by the RTC 18, the CPU 1 rewrites the register of the CPU peripheral control unit 16 and transmits a clock stop signal to the CLK control unit 6. The unit 6 stops generating the clock. And CPU1 will be in a power saving sleep state, for example, by operating a console (not shown), it will return from a power saving sleep state in a short time, and will be in a normal operation state.

  The unused time is counted by the RTC 18, and based on the counted time, the CPU 1 not only stops the clock generation by the CLK control unit 6, but also causes the power supply unit 15 to stop the power supply to each component. It may be configured.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention has an effect that power consumption can be reduced in the sleep mode, and the sleep mode can be shifted to the normal operation state in a short time, and can be used in the medical field (for example, ultrasonic diagnosis). is there.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Flow chart from normal operation state to sleep mode in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flow chart from sleep mode to normal operation state in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Block diagram of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Block diagram of conventional ultrasonic diagnostic equipment

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2, 16, 19 CPU peripheral control unit 3, 17, 20 System control unit 4, 12 Transmission unit 5, 13 Reception unit 6, 21 CLK control unit 7 Display control unit 8, 14, 22 Ultrasonic control unit 9 Display unit 10 , 15 Power supply 11 Power switch (SW)
18 RTC (Real Time Clock)

Claims (7)

A CPU that generates instructions;
CPU peripheral control unit for transmitting the CPU command to each component part;
An ultrasonic control unit that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and scans;
A power supply unit that is controlled by the CPU and supplies power to each component included in the ultrasonic control unit;
The ultrasonic control unit has a CLK control unit that generates a clock and supplies it to the components of the ultrasonic control unit,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CPU has a function of stopping generation of a clock from the CLK control unit to the component when shifting to a sleep mode that is in a stopped state.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CPU has a function of stopping power supply from the power supply unit to a component of the ultrasonic control unit or a part of the component when shifting to the sleep mode. .   The ultrasonic control unit includes a transmission unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave and a reception unit that receives a reflected wave, and when the CPU shifts to a sleep mode, the power supply unit is connected to the transmission unit and the reception unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, which has a function of stopping power supply.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CPU has a function of selecting whether or not to stop power supply from the power supply unit to the components of the ultrasonic control unit when shifting to the sleep mode. .   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the CPU has a function of selecting a target component for stopping power supply from the power supply unit when stopping power supply from the power supply unit.   Whether the CPU stops the power supply from the power supply unit to the constituent elements of the ultrasonic control unit according to the return time for returning from the sleep mode to the normal operation state when shifting to the sleep mode The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 having a function of selecting whether or not.   7. An RTC (Real Time Clock) that measures the duration of an unused state, and when the RTC measures a predetermined duration, the CPU has a function of shifting to a sleep mode. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to item.

Images