Wireless ultrasound probe and ultrasound imaging apparatus connected with wireless ultrasound probe

An ultrasound imaging apparatus connected wirelessly with a wireless ultrasound probe, the ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• a wireless communication module;
• a power supply terminal that is coupled to a charging terminal connector of the wireless ultrasound probe to supply a charging power for charging a battery of the wireless ultrasound probe;
• a sensor configured to recognize a charging state in which the power supply terminal is physically coupled with the charging terminal connector of the wireless ultrasound probe such that power is supplied to the battery;
• and
• a controller configured to control the wireless communication module to pair the ultrasound imaging apparatus with the wireless ultrasound probe that is recognized by the sensor as being in the charging state by using a wireless communication method,
• wherein the power supply terminal has a unique shape configured to be physically coupled only with the wireless ultrasound probe including the charging terminal connector having a predetermined shape,
• wherein the controller is further configured to control the wireless communication module to receive idenification information and characteristic information of the wireless ultrasound probe coupled to the power supply terminal and determine whether to pair the ultrasound imaging apparatus with the wireless ultrasound probe based on the received identification information and characteristic information of the wireless ultrasound probe, and
• wherein the characteristic information of the wireless ultrasound probe includes at least one of a wireless communication frequency used for communication, a connection type, an executable application, a wireless communication method, a communication status, battery charging information, a remaining battery capacity, and a remaining usability time.

A method of connecting an ultrasound imaging apparatus with a wireless ultrasound probe, the method comprising:

• recognizing a state in which a charging terminal connector of the wireless ultrasound probe is coupled to a power supply terminal of the ultrasound imaging apparatus;
• supplying power to the wireless ultrasound probe coupled to the power supply terminal to charge a battery of the wireless ultrasound probe;
• pairing the ultrasound imaging apparatus with the wireless ultrasound probe being charged, by using a wireless communication method;
• receiving identification information and characteristic information of the wireless ultrasound probe being charged,
• wherein the power supply terminal has a unique shape configured to be physically coupled only with the wireless ultrasound probe including the charging terminal connector having a predetermined shape,
• wherein the pairing of the ultrasound imaging apparatus with the wireless ultrasound probe comprises determining whether to pair the ultrasound imaging apparatus with the wireless ultrasound probe based on the received identification information and characteristic information of the wireless ultrasound probe, and
• wherein the characteristic information of the wireless ultrasound probe includes at least one of a wireless communcation frequency used for communication, a connection type, and executable application, a wireless communication method, a communication status, battery charging information, a remaining battery capacity, and a remaining usability time.