A medical imaging system for image acquisition is disclosed. The medical imaging system includes an imaging source, and a source controller coupled to the imaging source and configured to command emission for image exposures. An imaging detector in the medical imaging system is configured to acquire the image data without communication from the source controller. A portable detector control device is configured to identify the imaging detector within the vicinity when the portable detector control device boots up. Subsequently it is determined whether the imaging detector is associated with the portable detector control device and then communicates with the imaging detector if associated.
