Abstract: A compatibility checking mechanism can include a reader, a checking mechanism, a writer and an approver. The reader can read out memory content from a memory of a first device component. The checking mechanism can check whether the first device component can be used together with a second device component based on the read-out memory content, and supply a result of the checking whether the first device component can be used together with a second device component. The writer can induce writing of a component identifier of the second device component in the memory of the first device component if checking of the read-out memory content indicates that the first device component can be used together with the second device component. The approver can approve or block use of the first device component as a function of the result of the checking of the read-out memory content.

Abstract: A compatibility checking mechanism can include a reader, a checking mechanism, a writer and an approver. The reader can read out memory content from a memory of a first device component. The checking mechanism can check whether the first device component can be used together with a second device component based on the read-out memory content, and supply a result of the checking whether the first device component can be used together with a second device component. The writer can induce writing of a component identifier of the second device component in the memory of the first device component if checking of the read-out memory content indicates that the first device component can be used together with the second device component. The approver can approve or block use of the first device component as a function of the result of the checking of the read-out memory content.

Abstract: Methods and features for providing and activating a software license in a system, such as a magnetic resonance system, are disclosed. For example, a software license is stored in the system. The system with the stored software license is sold or rented to a client. The software license is operable to be activated by or at the client.

Abstract: A method and a system for preventive maintenance of a magnetic resonance device are provided. The system includes a coil plug-in connector detection unit that detects a number of coil connections of at least one high-frequency-receive coil of the magnetic resonance device. The system also includes a transmission unit that transmits the number of detected coil connections to a central arithmetic unit. The central arithmetic unit totals up the transmitted number of coil connections. The transmission unit also transmits the number of detected coil connections to an output unit. The transmission unit outputs a maintenance order for the maintenance of the magnetic resonance device when the total sum of the number of the coil connections exceeds a predefinable threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method of servicing a group of similar types of equipment that maybe installed at geographically separated locations is described. The method makes use of error messages produced by the equipment and service requests received by a servicing center. Data mining techniques are used to establish error patterns associated with specific failure modes so that future error messages may be processed to determine if an identified failure mode has occurred. This will enable the efficient dispatch of spare parts and service personnel to the location where the failure has occurred.

Abstract: A system and method of servicing a group of similar types of equipment that maybe installed at geographically separated locations is described. The method makes use of error messages produced by the equipment and service requests received by a servicing center. Data mining techniques are used to establish error patterns associated with specific failure modes so that future error messages may be processed to determine if an identified failure mode has occurred. This will enable the efficient dispatch of spare parts and service personnel to the location where the failure has occurred.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for performing maintenance on a mission critical system while minimizing unavailability of the system to users. The system includes software storage having at least production and maintenance portions. Initially, the maintenance and production portions are set to be identical and the system is programmed to operate from the production portion. During maintenance operations, the system is taken off line and the maintenance is performed only on the maintenance portion, leaving the production portion unaltered. Until the maintenance is complete, if the system is required to be available, it may be brought back on-line and directed to continue to operate from the production portion. Once maintenance is complete, the maintenance portion is designated as the production portion and vice versa. The system is then directed to operate from the newly maintained production portion.

Abstract: Methods and features for providing and activating a software license in a system, such as a magnetic resonance system, are disclosed. For example, a software license is stored in the system. The system with the stored software license is sold or rented to a client. The software license is operable to be activated by or at the client.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for performing maintenance on a mission critical system while minimizing the unavailability of the system to the user. In one embodiment, the mission critical system is provided with software storage/media including at least a production portion and a separately and/or independently accessible/usable maintenance portion. At the time of manufacture and/or installation, the maintenance and production portions are set to be identical, i.e. contain identical software, and the system is programmed to operate from the production portion. During maintenance operations, the system is taken off-line and the particular maintenance procedures are performed only on the maintenance portion of the software storage, leaving the production portion unaltered. Until the maintenance procedures are complete, if the system is required to be available, it may be brought back on-line and directed to continue to operate from the production portion of the software storage.

Abstract: A method for systematically assessing the quality of medical appliances (11, 21, 31, 41) of a generic type that are in operation, in the case of which method data acquired during a regular inspection of the medical appliances (11, 21, 31, 41) are transmitted to a central database (51) and are evaluated by an evaluation device (52) assigned to the database (51).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for systematically assessing the quality of medical appliances (11, 21, 31, 41) of a generic type that are in operation, in the case of which method data acquired during a regular inspection of the medical appliances (11, 21, 31, 41) are transmitted to a central database (51) and are evaluated by an evaluation device (52) assigned to the database (51).