Method and system for synchronizing a plurality of apparatus

• US 20030128816A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kotian, Francois, Lumbroso, Pascal, Klausz, Remy
• Application Number:
  US10/327,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20030128816A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/210
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings

Abstract

A system comprising a plurality of apparatus, each equipped with at least one central unit including an internal clock, the internal clocks being synchronized. At least two of the apparatus receive signals and synchronize their respective internal clock with the signals. The signals can be a radio signal that can be from a satellite, such as a global positioning system. The apparatus may be an imaging apparatus or other devices used in medical technology.

Claims

1. A method of synchronization of at least two apparatus comprising:

providing for each apparatus a central internal clock;

providing to each apparatus signals that determine time and position of each apparatus; and

synchronizing the internal clock of each apparatus with the signals.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the signals are provided by a satellite.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the signals are provided by a global positioning system.

10. A computer program containing program code means for applying the method according to claim 1 when the program is operating on a computer.

11. A support capable of being read by a device for reading program code means which are stored therein and capable of applying the method according to claim 1 when the program is operating on a computer.

4. A radiological imaging system comprising:

a plurality of apparatus, each provided with at least one central unit including an internal clock, the internal clocks being synchronized;

at least two of the apparatus including means for receiving signals; and

at least two of the apparatus including means for synchronizing their respective internal clock with the signals.

7. The system according to claims 4 wherein the means for receiving is capable of receiving signals defining a position and a date.

8. The system according to claim 4 wherein at least one of the apparatus comprises:

means for providing radiation;

means for detection of the radiation; and

means for image acquisition.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein at least one of the apparatus comprises means for physiological data detection.

5. The system according to claim 5 wherein the means for receiving is capable of receiving signals from a satellite.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the means for receiving is capable of receiving signals from a global positioning system.