1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
exposing a set of serial communication protocol driver interfaces that are exposed by a core driver stack, the serial communication protocol driver interfaces including driver interface functions configured to interface with client function drivers that correspond to one or more client devices configured for data communication in accordance with the serial communication protocol; and
receiving a client function driver check for availability of a driver interface function before interfacing with the core driver stack via the serial communication protocol driver interfaces.
2. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising enforcing a check first protocol that directs the client function driver to check for the availability of the driver interface function before interfacing with the core driver stack via the serial communication protocol driver interfaces.
3. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising identifying a client function driver that causes a runtime failure, the client function driver being identifiable by a function handle that corresponds to an individual function of the client device that is associated with the client function driver.
4. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising registering a composite device driver that registers itself and requests a function handle for each individual function of a client device, the composite device driver notifying the core driver stack that the composite device driver will control suspending each of the individual functions of the client device.
5. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
exposing extensions for the driver interface functions, the extensions exposed by the core driver stack to interface with the client function drivers; and
receiving a contract version identifier from a client function driver via an extension of the driver interface functions, the contract version identifier indicating a set of operation rules by which the client function driver interfaces with the core driver stack.
6. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 5, further comprising:
receiving a capability version request from a client function driver; and
returning an indication that the core driver stack supports the extensions for the driver interface functions.
7. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the serial communication protocol driver interfaces comprise USB driver interfaces that include USB driver interface functions configured to interface with USB client function drivers that correspond to one or more client USB devices.
8. A computer system, comprising:
a core driver stack configured to expose a set of serial communication protocol driver interfaces that include driver interface functions configured to interface with client function drivers that correspond to one or more client devices configured for data communication in accordance with the serial communication protocol;
a processing system to implement the core driver stack for inputoutput of computer instructions and data communication, the core driver stack further configured to receive a client function driver check for availability of a driver interface function before interfacing with the core driver stack via the serial communication protocol driver interfaces.
9. A computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the core driver stack is further configured to receive a contract version identifier from the client function driver via an extension of the driver interface functions, the contract version identifier indicating a set of operation rules by which the client function driver interfaces with the core driver stack.
10. A computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the core driver stack is further configured to enforce a check first protocol that directs the client function driver to check for the availability of the driver interface function before interfacing with the core driver stack via the serial communication protocol driver interfaces.
11. A computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the core driver stack is further configured to identify a client function driver that causes a runtime failure, the client function driver being identifiable by a function handle that corresponds to an individual function of the client device that is associated with the client function driver.
12. A computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the core driver stack is further configured to:
expose extensions for the driver interface functions to interface with the client function drivers;
receive a capability version request from the client function driver; and
returning an indication that the core driver stack supports the extensions for the driver interface functions.
13. A computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the core driver stack is further configured to receive notification that a composite device driver will control suspending individual functions of a client device, the notification received from the composite device driver via an extension of the driver interface functions.
14. A computer system as recited in claim 13, wherein the core driver stack is further configured to recognize a composite device driver that registers itself and requests a function handle for each of the individual functions of the client device.
15. A computing device configured to perform operations comprising to:
expose a set of serial communication protocol driver interfaces that are exposed by a core driver stack, the serial communication protocol driver interfaces including driver interface functions configured to interface with client function drivers that correspond to one or more client devices configured for data communication in accordance with the serial communication protocol; and
receive a client function driver check for availability of a driver interface function before interfacing with the core driver stack via the serial communication protocol driver interfaces.
16. The computing device as recited in claim 15, wherein the computing device is configured to perform the operations further comprising to enforce a check first protocol that directs the client function driver to check for the availability of the driver interface function before interfacing with the core driver stack via the serial communication protocol driver interfaces.
17. The computing device as recited in claim 15, wherein the computing device is configured to perform the operations further comprising to identify a client function driver that causes a runtime failure, the client function driver being identifiable by a function handle that corresponds to an individual function of the client device that is associated with the client function driver.
18. The computing device as recited in claim 15, wherein the computing device is configured to perform the operations further comprising to register a composite device driver that registers itself and requests a function handle for each individual function of a client device, the composite device driver notifying the core driver stack that the composite device driver will control suspending each of the individual functions of the client device.
19. The computing device as recited in claim 15, wherein the computing device is configured to perform the operations further comprising to:
expose extensions for the driver interface functions, the extensions exposed by the core driver stack to interface with the client function drivers; and
receive a contract version identifier from a client function driver via an extension of the driver interface functions, the contract version identifier indicating a set of operation rules by which the client function driver interfaces with the core driver stack.
20. The computing device as recited in claim 19, wherein the computing device is configured to perform the operations further comprising to:
receive a capability version request from a client function driver; and
return an indication that the core driver stack supports the extensions for the driver interface functions.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for determining a position shift of a focal area in an examination subject, comprising the steps of:
acquiring first image data, containing derivable temperature information, from a body region of a patient positioned for hyperthermia treatment;
from said first image data, determining a focal area in said body region;
aligning a focus of a hyperthermia applicator relative to said focal area;
acquiring second image data, containing derivable temperature information, from said body region of said patient; and
comparing said second image data with said first image data to identify if a position shift of said focal area has occurred.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising evaluating a characteristic of said position shift and emitting a signal indicative of a fault dependent on said characteristic.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 comprising identifying a distance of the position-shifted focal area from the location of the focal area represented by said first image data, comparing said distance with a predetermined threshold, and generating said signal indicative of a fault if said distance exceeds said threshold.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 comprising emitting a humanly-perceptible warning signal upon determination of said fault.
5. A method as claimed in claim 2 comprising automatically precluding start-up of said hyperthermia applicator if said fault is determined to be present.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising adapting a position of the focus of said hyperthermia applicator to the position-shifted location of the focal area.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising determining a tissue region in said body region that comprises said focal area, and determining said position shift by comparing only data in said second image data representing said tissue region with only data in said first image data representing said tissue region.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising determining said position shift by cross-correlating said first and second image data.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising analyzing said first and second image data to identify image sharpness information in each of said first and second image data, and determining said position shift dependent on the image sharpness information respectively in said first and second image data.
10. A device for determining a position shift of a focal area in an examination subject, comprising:
an imaging modality that acquires first image data, containing derivable temperature information, from a body region of a patient positioned for hyperthermia treatment;
a processor configured to determine, from said first image data, a focal area in said body region;
a hyperthermia applicator having a focus, said focus being adjustable so as to be aligned relative to said focal area;
said imaging modality acquiring second image data, containing derivable temperature information, from said body region of said patient; and
said processor being configured to compare said second image data with said first image data to identify if a position shift of said focal area has occurred.
11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said processor is configured to evaluate a characteristic of said position shift and to emit a signal indicative of a fault dependent on said characteristic.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said processor is configured to identify a distance of the position-shifted focal area from the location of the focal area represented by said first image data, compare said distance with a predetermined threshold, and generating said signal indicative of a fault if said distance exceeds said threshold.
13. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said processor is configured to emit a humanly-perceptible warning signal upon determination of said fault.
14. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said processor is configured to automatically preclude start-up of said hyperthermia applicator if said fault is determined to be present.
15. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said processor is configured to adapt a position of the focus of said hyperthermia applicator to the position-shifted location of the focal area.
16. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said processor is configured to determine a tissue region in said body region that comprises said focal area, and determine said position shift by comparing only data in said second image data representing said tissue region with only data in said first image data representing said tissue region.
17. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said processor is configured to determine said position shift by cross-correlating said first and second image data.
18. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said processor is configured to analyze said first and second image data to identify image sharpness information in each of said first and second image data, and determine said position shift dependent on the image sharpness information respectively in said first and second image data.