Method and apparatus for communicating operational data for a system unit in a medical diagnostic system

An apparatus which provides for the communication of operational data for a system unit in a medical diagnostic system, the apparatus comprising:

• a storage medium, the storage medium containing any one of identification information for a system unit in a medical diagnostic system, characteristic information for the system unit, and a memory location for a record of operational data for the system unit;
• a communication interface, the communication interface being configured to allow for the communication between the system unit and the medical diagnostic system of any one of identification information, characteristic information, and operational data regarding the system unit;
• and
• a programmed digital processing circuit coupled to the storage medium and the communication interface, the processing circuit being responsive to requests for any one of identification information and characteristic information, and controlling communication of operational data via the communication interface to the medical diagnostic system and to a remote facility to establish a remote record of operational data for the system unit, wherein the remote record of operational data is linked to a corresponding subscription file at the remote facility.

A system for communicating operational data for a system unit in a medical diagnostic system, the system comprising:

• means for communicating identification information from an electronic device coupled to the system unit in the medical diagnostic system to an imaging unit in the medical diagnostic system;
• means for operating the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the identification information and generating operational data;
• means for communicating the operational data from the system unit in order to establish a record of operational data for the system unit in the electronic device, the operational data including information relating to the operation of the system unit in the medical diagnostic system;
• means for communicating the identification information and the operational data to a remote facility to establish a remote record of operational data for the system unit;
• and
• means for verifying the identification information communicated from the electronic device with a subscription file at the remote facility, wherein the remote record of operational data is linked to the subscription file.

An apparatus which provides for the communication of operational data for a system unit in a diagnostic system, the apparatus comprising:

• a storage medium, the storage medium containing identification information for the system unit and system unit operational data;
• a communication interface, the communication interface being configured to allow for the communication of operational data regarding the system unit, the operational data being communicated between the system unit and the diagnostic system;
• and
• a programmed digital processing circuit coupled to the storage medium and the communication interface, the programmed processing circuit controlling communication of operational data via the communication interface to the diagnostic system and to a remote facility, wherein the remote facility establishes a remote record of operational data for the system unit, wherein the remote record of operational data is linked to a corresponding subscription file at the remote facility.