# US 2014/0194739 A1 · Ultrasound probe > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194739 A1 - Document ID: US20140194739A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/208,517 - Filed: 2014-03-13 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-07 - Assignees: Konica Minolta, Inc. - Applicants: Konica Minolta, Inc. - Inventors: Yoshiki KATOU - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194739A1 ## CPC - A61B 8/145: {characterised by scanning multiple planes} - A61B 8/4405: {Device being mounted on a trolley} - A61B 8/4472: {Wireless probes} - A61B 8/4483: {characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer} - A61B 8/56: {Details of data transmission or power supply} - G01S 7/5208: {with integration of processing functions inside probe or scanhead} - A61B 8/461: {Displaying means of special interest} - A61B 8/467: {characterised by special input means} - G01S 7/003: {Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations} - G01S 7/52096: {related to power management, e.g. saving power or prolonging life of electronic components (details of power supplies for ultrasonic medical diagnostic imaging devices A61B8/56)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## Abstract An ultrasound probe includes a receiving section to receive ultrasound waves from an object and to acquire a receiving signal of each of multiple channels; a beam forming section to adjust a phase of the receiving signal of each of multiple channels and to sum the receiving signals; an image producing section to produce image data to display an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section; a transmission target selecting section to select one from at least two of the receiving signal for each of multiple channels, the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section, and the image data as a transmission target; and a transmitting section to transmit the transmission target selected by the transmission target selecting section. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for an ultrasound probe, which (i) is operable to (a) receive ultrasound waves from an object and to acquire a receiving signal of each of multiple channels, (b) adjust a phase of the receiving signal of each of the multiple channels and to sum the receiving signals, and (c) produce image data to display an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the summed receiving signals, and (ii) is operable to selectively transmit one of at least two which are selectable of (a) the receiving signal for each of the multiple channels, (b) the summed receiving signals, and (c) the image data, the method comprising: selecting, as a transmission target, one of said at least two of the receiving signal for each of the multiple channels, the summed receiving signals, and the image data; and transmitting the selected transmission target. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the selecting of the transmission target is performed in accordance with an operation by an operator of the ultrasound probe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the transmission target is performed in accordance with a remaining quantity of electricity in a battery of the ultrasound probe. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the transmission target is performed in accordance with a transmitting condition between the ultrasound probe and an ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus main body which is a transmission destination of the transmission target. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving a transmission target designating signal from an ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus main body which is a transmission destination of the transmission target, wherein the selection of the transmission target is performed in accordance with the received transmission target designating signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving specification information of an ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus main body which is a transmission destination of the transmission target, wherein the selection of the transmission target is performed in accordance with the received specification information. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: in accordance with the selected transmission target, limiting a supply of power in the ultrasound probe for at least one of (i) adjusting the phase of the receiving signal of each of the multiple channels and summing the receiving signals, and (ii) producing the image data to display the ultrasound diagnostic image based on the summed receiving signals. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: in accordance with the selected transmission target, changing a frequency of an operation clock supplied for at least one of (i) adjusting the phase of the receiving signal of each of the multiple channels and summing the receiving signals, and (ii) producing the image data to display the ultrasound diagnostic image based on the summed receiving signals, from a prescribed driving frequency to a prescribed standby frequency that is lower than the driving frequency. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving signal for each of the multiple channels, the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section, and the image data are different in data format and data size from each other. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the summed receiving signals are sound ray data.