DICOM Time Fraction Padding Token Tool

Description

Pad the fraction to six digits and return the original fractional digit count.

Clinical data distinguishes precise instants, partial dates, fixed durations, and calendar quantities. Missing precision or a calendar month cannot be silently replaced by an arbitrary timestamp or fixed duration.

Pad the fraction to six digits and return the original fractional digit count.

When to use this tool

Use DICOM Time Fraction Padding Token when you need one explicit clinical date, time, or duration representation component.

How to use the tool and how it works

Enter time. Use the units and conventions below.
Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
Read padded, fractionalDigits. Use the output convention below.

Require complete HHMMSS with optional 1-6 fractional digits, allowing seconds 60. Pad the fraction to six digits and return the original fractional digit count.^[1]

DICOM TM supports reduced time precision and up to six fractional-second digits. This helper accepts complete clock components only; padding a fraction does not add measurement precision.^[2]

Input field	Meaning and units	Accepted input
time	Time	Required. Text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192.

Output field	Interpretation	Returned shape
padded	Padded	Required. Text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192.
fractionalDigits	Original fractional-second digit count; padding does not increase source precision.	Required. Safe integer.

json

{
  "input": {
    "time": "123456.12"
  },
  "output": {
    "padded": "123456.120000",
    "fractionalDigits": 2
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

This supported subset excludes reduced-precision TM and padded spaces; appended zeros do not increase measured precision and leap-second occurrence or timezone is not verified.
Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Retain precision and offset metadata and validate the complete record against its standard and intended clinical context.

References

Calculation and input contract: health-informatics/dicom-time-fraction-padding-token — tool.io
DICOM PS3.5: Value Representation — DICOM Standards Committee / NEMA

Similar or alternative tools

FHIR Timing Repeat Period Unit Pair
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FHIR Date Partial Precision Envelope
Parse YYYY, YYYY-MM, or real YYYY-MM-DD in years 0001-9999.